Subhas Chandra Pattanayak
Orissa Chief Minister Navein Patnaik has survived the no-confidence motion moved against him by the Opposition Congress on August 29. But it doesn’t mean that he enjoys confidence.
He is heading a coalition ministry in partnership with BJP.
As many as 20 members of its legislative wing, meaning majority of its MLAs including three of its ministers namely Samir De, Golak Nayak and Brindavan Majhi in a specially conveyed conclave had decided to withdraw support from the Government in the night preceding the day fixed for taking up the motion of no-confidence. To save the situation, the pro-power duo – law minister Biswabhusan Harichandan and revenue minister Manmohan Samal – had to invoke the controlling supremacy of their central leadership and afraid of losing power in Orissa, BJP high command suppressed its internecine revolt at the last moment. Does it mean the oral rejection of the no-confidence motion carry expression of confidence of these BJP MLAs in the Chief Minister?
So the oral ‘no’ to the no-confidence motion is no expression of confidence in Navin Patnaik.