Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday termed ‘gossip’ and ‘lies’ as the worst aspects of politics, creating ripples in Odisha amid confusion over the fate of the possible alliance between BJD and BJP.
In the instagram story shared by BJD leader V K Pandian, the 5T chairman is seen asking Naveen in Odia: “Sir, rajanitire sabutu kharap jinisa kan (what is the worst thing in politics) ?” Seated cross legged in a sofa, the CM replied, “Gujjab (rumour) and michha katha (lies).”
Naveen and Pandian’s video is being viewed as well-calibrated and carefully timed considering the developments in Odisha politics in the last few days. With the BJD and the BJP engaging in secret talks for a possible electoral pact for the ensuing twin polls in Odisha, Naveen’s response can be read both ways. He could either be indicating that the talk of a possible alliance is ‘gossip’ and ‘lies’ or the versions of state BJP Manmohan Samal and BJP election in-charge for Odisha Vijay Pal Singh Tomar that there has not been any discussion on alliance are ‘gossip’ and ‘lies’.
The video featuring Naveen, who is known for having outwitted his political rivals in the past through his Machiavellian moves, is bound to further put the public as well as workers of both BJD and BJP in a dilemma over the alliance issue. His choice of words, obviously well thought out as it seems, could give BJD a much-needed leeway to put a lid over talks of a possible alliance or put the blame on state BJP leadership of spreading ‘gossip’ and ‘lies’ about the alliance in case the tie-up eventually happens.
Going by discussions in both camps, the seat-sharing negotiations are yet to be sorted out as both parties are obdurate about the number of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha constituencies they want their nominees to contest from. While the BJD leaders are mostly avoiding sharing much with the media, party leader and minister Nrushingha Sahu on Saturday said the Chief Minister alone can take a decision on such matters. However, BJP’s Samal and Tomar have attempted to brush aside the possibility of an alliance. “The reality is few know what is cooking as the alliance can only be discussed and finalised by the top leaders of both parties. Everyone else is beating around the bush,” said a senior BJD leader preferring anonymity.
BJP leaders, too, admit that the decision will ultimately be taken by the party’s highest leadership and the state leaders would have to accept it.
