With Odisha BJP chief Manmohan Samal’s refusal to any discussion on a possible alliance with the BJD, the mystery of a BJP-BJD alliance has deepened further with different statements by leaders of both parties ahead of the crucial 2024 elections.
Amidst such speculations, who is actually keen for an alliance in Odisha? Is it the BJP or the BJD?
Recently, the BJD announced that it was ready to accept whatever decision is taken in the coming days in the interest of the state. Similarly, senior BJP leader Jual Oram had recently said that a discussion was held in Delhi about the coalition, but no decision has been taken yet.
After series of meetings at Naveen Niwas, senior BJD leader Debi Mishra told the media that a discussion on the alliance was held and the decision will be taken in the interests of the people of Odisha.
However, state BJP president Manmohan Samal, who returned after talks with Central leaders from Delhi on Friday, dismissed the talk of the alliance and said that there was no discussion about the alliance in Delhi.
During his visit to Bhadrak today, he reiterated the statement and said, "Who is campaigning about the alliance in the state? You have to catch its roots. Only the one who started the discussion can answer it. There will be a wave of lotus in Odisha in the upcoming elections”
Replying to questions from media persons after his return from Delhi yesterday, Manmohan Samal said there is a "very fabricated story" going on about the alliance issue.
Asked by reporters if Samal himself was opposing the alliance, he said, "There has been no discussion on the alliance at all, so there is no question of opposing it." Samal also denied reports of a formal announcement on the alliance of BJP and BJD during the next Odisha visit of Amit Shah.
With Samal’s refusal of any discussion in BJP on the alliance, BJD MLA Nrusingha Charan Sahu on Saturday stated that alliance or no alliance, BJD is going to win at least 110 Assembly seats in Odisha.
Speaking to reporters, Sahu said, “I have heard speculations about an alliance. CM Naveen Patnaik will take the final call on that. BJD has agreed to an alliance only in the interest of Odisha. The people of Odisha will be benefitted from the alliance. While some BJD ticket aspirants will be displeased after not getting tickets, I do not think anybody will revolt in BJD.”