BHUBANESWAR: Fifteen years after their bitter break-up, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the BJP have almost stitched up the second innings of their alliance in Odisha.
While the deal is reported to have been finalised at the top leadership levels of the two parties, a formal announcement is yet to be made. But, it is only a matter of time, sources said.
On Wednesday, the day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state had given ample indications of the speculations over the tie-up becoming a reality, both the parties engaged in hectic discussions with their respective leaders - BJD in Bhubaneswar and BJP at New Delhi - to formalise the partnership.
The BJD summoned its MPs and MLAs to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence Naveen Niwas and after four hours of meeting, the regional party issued a cleverly-worded statement which said it will do everything in the greater interest of Odisha as well as its people.
“An extensive discussion was held under the leadership of BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik with the senior leaders of the party today regarding the strategy of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. In the discussions, it was resolved that since by 2036, Odisha will complete 100 years of its statehood and BJD and Hon’ble CM have major milestones to achieve by this time, therefore the Biju Janata Dal will do everything towards this in the greater interests of people of Odisha and the State,” the statement from the regional party read.
Meanwhile, reliable sources in the BJP informed that the alliance is a done deal and the finer details would be announced soon. The official announcement is likely to be made during the next couple of days. Seat-sharing will be decided after discussion between both the parties. There are, however, indications that the BJD will settle for a lion’s share of assembly seats leaving BJP with more Lok Sabha constituencies.
After the core committee meeting of the BJP at New Delhi, former union minister Jual Oram said the issue was discussed but a final call will be taken by the central leadership. Top leaders of the state including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and state BJP president Manmohan Samal attended the committee meeting held under the chairmanship of BJP national president JP Nadda where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also present.
The BJD which was founded in 1997 after the demise of legendary Biju Patnaik entered into an alliance with the BJP in 1998 and the pact continued till 2009. The parties had an alliance government in the state for two terms from 2000 before the regional party broke off after the Kandhamal riots in 2009.
Earlier in the day, two rounds of meetings here were held by Naveen where senior leaders such as 5T chairman VK Pandian, Debi Prasad Mishra, Sasmit Patra, Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, Sanjay Dasburma, Tukuni Sahu, Ashok Chandra Panda, Jagannath Saraka, Prafulla Mallick were present.
The meeting was meant to seek the mandate of the senior leadership on the alliance and also discuss how to take the message of partnership with the principal rival to the voters.
Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Debi Prasad Mishra and Arun Kumar Sahoo said under the leadership of the CM, BJD is committed to development of the state and would take a decision keeping in mind the interest of Odisha.
The opinion of the state leadership was the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik must be taken forward for development of the state in the years to come.
Stating that Odisha is heading towards next level of development and efforts are on by the government in this direction, Mishra said the state will achieve development milestones set by the chief minister.