'Early election:' Congress alleges deal between BJP & BJD in Odisha

The Congress party on Monday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have agreed to help each other in the next general elections.

The Congress party said that Odisha BJP Chief Manmohan Samal is speaking about early elections because they have struck a deal with the BJD so that the latter fields weaker candidates in the seats BJP wants to capture in Odisha.

“We know the farcical fight between the BJP and the BJD. Even the people of Odisha know it. They have already made a deal and will contest the elections as per mutual agreement,” said Congress MLA, Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

“The Congress party is ever ready for elections and will fight it on its own. We do not make any agreement with any party,” said Bahinipati.

However, the BJP denied the allegations and said the leaders will act as per the instructions from the party's high command in Delhi. “We will implement our plans as per the instructions by the party president in Delhi,” said BJP MLA, Mukesh Mahaling.

BJD MLA Pratap Jena said, “We are always on the front to provide people as many facilities as we can. We are with the people all the time, so we are ready for the election anytime.”