CM Naveen Patnaik says no to any alliances with Congress

Senior leader of ruling BJD Bhartruhari Mahtab had hinted at a possible coalition with non-BJP parties if situation warrants.
CM Naveen Patnaik says no to any alliances with Congress

BHUBANESWAR/BALASORE : Putting an end to speculation over the BJD partnering with non-BJP parties to form a possible third front, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said a clear ‘no’ to any type of alliance with the Congress.

Political circles here were abuzz with speculations after BJD’s Parliamentary Party leader in the Lok Sabha Bhartruhari Mahtab hinted at a possible coalition with other non-BJP parties if situation warrants in future.

“There is no question of any alliance with the Congress. The Congress has always neglected the people of Odisha,” the BJD supremo told reporters after addressing a public gathering at Simulia in Balasore district. 

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik distributing land <g class=
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik distributing land
pattas among the beneficiaries on Thursday | Express" />

On Wednesday, Mahtab had said the BJD may amend its stand against the Congress if required. “There is no logic behind maintaining the equidistance from Congress since the national party is not like before,” he had told a private news channel.

The party leaders too have dismissed Mahtab’s statement. Terming it as Mahtab’s own assertion, BJD spokesperson Pratab Dev said the party does not subscribe it. “The decision on the party’s stand will be taken by party president. We would continue to maintain equidistance from both the Congress and BJP,” he clarified.

The Chief Minister inaugurated several projects worth `55 crore and laid the foundation stone for a number of road, pipe water projects, educational institutions and other projects related to health services in Balasore district.

He attended four meetings in Simulia, Bahanaga, Remuna and Balasore Sadar blocks. Speaking at Simulia, Naveen highlighted the achievements of the State Government and schemes launched for the tribals, women and poor.

“The developmental schemes of the Government has helped reducing poverty in the State and Odisha is emerging as one of the best states in the country. Many investors have envisaged their interest to invest in the State and it would help creating employment opportunities for the youths,” he said.

The CM distributed land pattas among the landless, pensions to oldaged, farming equipment to farmers. He also inaugurated Ranital-Kupari-Macchuasahi road built at a cost of `1.78 crore, drinking water project of `one crore at Sarsatia village, Saradang-Bhogapur road worth `1.83 crore, a road at a cost of `1.43 crore to Anantapur from NH-5 and cyclone shelters in Remuna and Sadar block. He also laid the foundation stone for widening of Balasore-Remuna Golai road to be built at a cost of `10 crore.

Naveen was accompanied by party Chief Whip Ananta Das, Lok Sabha MP Rabindra Kumar Jena and MLAs of the district.

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