The growing bonhomie between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), who are considered archrivals in Odisha, has become the centre of discussion not only in State politics but also in Delhi.
Immediately after the BJD backed the Delhi Services Bill and opposed the Opposition INDIA's no-confidence motion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah came to Odisha. Moreover, he heaped praises on Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik during government programmes. The latter too reciprocated and extolled the former.
BJD MP from Puri Pinaki Mishra too spoke highly of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
Yet, the Conch party clarified that there is no change of stance in its political leanings.
“There is nothing wrong in praising someone who is doing good work. We are supporting pro-people agendas and opposing anti-people ones,” said BJD MLA, Parshuram Dhada.
Clarifying his party’s stand, he further added, “We will fight the elections on our own strength. There is no question of alliance.”
In this regard, BJP MP Suresh Pujari said, “They (the BJD) have admitted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been generously helping in the development of Odisha and the implementation of poverty alleviation yojanas which they hadn’t been accepting till yesterday.”
On the other hand, the Congress ascribed the camaraderie between the BJP and the BJD to the latter’s fear of central probe agencies.
“Yesterday, the BJD proved that they are with the BJP. The former is afraid of Income Tax, ED and CBI,” said Congress leader, Taraprasad Bahinipati.
Meanwhile, political analysts have started trying to figure out if the fight during the coming general elections is going to be fierce or a friendly one.
“At a time when the general elections are approaching, the bonhomie between the BJP and the BJD only indicates an alliance. But all are in the dark as to what shape the present camaraderie will take in the coming days,” observed senior journalist, Prasanna Mohanty.