Odisha doesn't have an alternative to Naveen; BJP, Cong still on edge: Dama

Bhubaneswar: Veteran BJD leader and Excise Minister Damodar Rout, in view of the Uttar Pradesh election results, today said that people become discontented if a person or party rules for a long period of time and tend to change the government.

However, the situation in Odisha is different, said Rout. He said that there is no alternative for Naveen Patnaik in Odisha. He even questioned if there is any substitute of Naveen in BJP and Congress.

In absence of a substitute, people have to choose Naveen again, said the Minister.

Talking to media persons here, Rout said, "Anti-influence factor works everywhere, during which if people are discontented on a particular government they tend to change the government. When they want to change the government they think of a substitute, now you say me who is the alternative of Naveen Patnaik, who is there in BJP and Congress. In absence of a substitute, there is no doubt that Naveen will form the government again even if others do not want it."

He added, "As BJP and Congress are unable to create substitute for Naveen Patnaik, the BJD is saying that it will again form government in 2019."