BJD Blames Odisha BJP For Alliance ‘Rumour’, Rules Out Electoral Tie-Up With Saffron Party

Bhubaneswar: Ruling out any understanding with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday held the saffron party responsible for alliance ‘rumour’ ahead of the twin elections in the state.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, BJD’s national spokesperson Sasmit Patra alleged that some leaders of BJP in Odisha are spreading rumours about alliance between the two parties through media.

“We are unable to understand as to why they (BJP leaders) are spreading such rumour,” he said.
Claiming that the ruling BJD is in a very strong position for the upcoming electoral battle, Patra firmly ruled out any possible of alliance with BJP for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.

Regarding some leaders quitting BJD and joining BJP, he said the saffron party is welcoming the leaders who have either been expelled from the ruling party for anti-people activities or who have no chance of getting tickets for the upcoming polls.

As BJP in Odisha is facing dearth of candidates, it is welcoming leaders who are quitting BJD and other parties where they have no future, Patra claimed.

Patra further claimed that BJD is poised to register a landslide victory in the upcoming elections and win more than 120 Assembly and over 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state.