Bhubaneswar, Nov. 22: Relief was writ large on the face of BJD MPs as Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar today rejected the no-confidence motion notice given by Trinamul Congress against the UPA government protesting its decision to bring in foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail.

Sources said though three BJD MPs stood up with the Trinamul leaders in the Lok Sabha to press for the acceptance of the notice, they were all along hoping for the speaker to strike it down.

“The issue of opposing the FDI during an ordinary debate is vastly different from moving a no-confidence motion. Had the notice been accepted, it would have created a dilemma for us,” said a BJD MP.

He explained that while the BJD had rejected the Union government’s proposal on FDI in retail outright, it would think twice before doing anything to bring the government down over the issue. The party’s Lok Sabha member from Kendrapara, Baijayant Panda, said that what the BJD did in the House today was more of a symbolic gesture.

Another party MP, Prasanna Kumar Patasani said: “In politics, decisions are often taken at the last moment depending upon the situation. Today, I along with two of my colleagues stood up along with the Trinamul leaders supporting the no-confidence notice because we agree with them on the basic issue of FDI in retail. However, had the notice been accepted and motion put for vote, we would have taken a call on it at the last moment,” he said.

Interestingly, though BJD has 14 Lok Sabha members, only three – Prasanna Kumar Patsani, Kalikesh Singh Deo and Bhartruhari Mahatab - were present in the Lok Sabha today. When the proceedings were about to come to an end, Arjun Sethi joined them.

The BJD MP from Cuttack, Bhartruhari Mahatab, said: “I have also issued a notice for a discussion on FDI in retail. As a principle, the party is opposing FDI in this sector. That is why we stood along with the Trinamul leaders.”

After initial dilly-dallying, the BJD had rejected FDI in retail because the party thought it would adversely affect the interests of the small traders. It has also asked party MPs to oppose it in Parliament, but the party may not actually go so far to bring the government down on the issue.

Sources in the BJD said that the decision was in keeping with the party’s stand of maintaining equal distance from both the Congress and the BJP. A categorical stand on the issue had become imperative as the party was facing flak for taking too long to make up its mind.