BJD Keen To Revive Alliance With BJP In Odisha Fearing Action By CBI & ED, Claims Congress

Bhubaneswar: Amid speculations about Biju Janata Dal (BJD) getting ready to again forge alliance with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress on Thursday lashed out at Odisha’s ruling party accusing it of working for its own interest.

Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Pattanayak claimed that the ruling BJD will revive its alliance with BJP not for the interest of the state or the people but for its own benefits.

Stating that BJD and BJP were partners for several years and both the political parties ruled the state in coalition from 2000 to 2009 under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Though BJD snapped ties with BJP in 2009, the regional outfit is still working with the saffron party for its own interest, the PCC chief claimed.

As the BJD government is entangled in a series of scams and corruption cases, it is afraid of the central investigating agencies such as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), he claimed.

BJD leaders have virtually surrendered themselves before the BJP because of fear of action by CBI and ED, the senior Congress leader claimed.

Pattanayak further claimed that Congress would put up a spectacular show in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state. Even if they BJD and BJP forge electoral tie-up, they would not be able to win as Congress is all set to form government in Odisha by securing majority in the state Assembly, he claimed.