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Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is now seeking support from the INDIA (standing for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), called as INDI block, alleged BJP MLA Saroj Padhi.
BJP Leader’s Remark
The BJP legislator further claimed that the move of the BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s inclination towards the INDI block is to sustain BJD following a major setback in the 2024 elections, post which the party is now perhaps facing a major organizational setback. The recent political move also indicates a desperate attempt to safeguard BJD’s existence.
According to Padhi, the former Odisha CM has shown signs of aligning with the opposition bloc after meeting a Tamil Nadu Minister from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s Cabinet. Patnaik reportedly expressed willingness to join a meeting of the INDIA bloc, signaling a possible shift in his political stance, Padhi said.
"To save his party, Naveen Patnaik is now looking for support. He takes help from someone and later works to destroy them. He stayed with the BJP but ultimately tried to weaken the party. Now, sensing a tough road ahead, he has chosen to part ways," said the BJP MLA Saroj Padhi.
Padhi further stated that the people of Odisha have already realized that BJD's dominance is fading.
On Tuesday, a two-member delegation of Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK on Tuesday et Odisha’s Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar and deliberated on the issue of delimitation.
DMK leaders TRB Rajaa and Dayanidhi Maran met Patnaik at Naveen Niwas, the BJD president’s residence in Bhubaneswar.
Also Read: BJD to attend Tamil Nadu CM’s meeting on delimitation issue
The delegation urged Patnaik to make the BJD a part of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the Centre’s proposal for redrawing of constituencies solely on the basis of population.
Meanwhile, there has been no official response from the BJD regarding these allegations.
