Bhubaneswar: Senior BJP leader and Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav today said that his party will fight alone in Odisha in the next Lok Sabha and Assembly election.
Speaking to reporters here, Shri Yadav said, “There is no alliance between the BJD and the BJP. We will fight alone in Odisha and will also form the government.”
Shri Yadav’s statement assumes significance when there was a speculation roaming around in political circles in the State that BJP and BJD may form alliance for the upcoming election. This speculation arises following the crucial and secret meeting held between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here last week.
Joining Shri Yadav, State BJP President Manmohan Samal said that the BJP will fight alone in all the 147 Assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha seats in the next election.
Stating that his party is ready to fight the election at any time, he said they have the support and voters. “As per our internal survey of July, we are ahead of the BJD. BJP will surprise everybody in this election,” Shri Samal claimed.
On the other hand, senior BJD leader and Minister Pramila Mallick said the BJP’s wish is like a daydream and claimed that her party will win the next election with a thumping majority and form government for the sixth consecutive time.
Shrimati Mallick also ruled out any proposal to form any alliance with the BJP for the upcoming poll.
Meanwhile, wide-spread confusion grows in both BJP and the ruling BJD parties as no one knows what was discussed at the close-door meeting between BJP Chanakya and BJD Supremo.
BJP MLA Prakash Soren said the party workers are in confusion as two top level leaders have held internal meetings and BJD openly announced its support to the Modi government in two important issues in Parliament. There is a need to clear the air, he said.
However, BJD MP Munna Khan said there is no confusion among workers because BJD has extended support for some Bills while it has been opposing some other Bills. Besides, the party has also staged walks out from the Houses while passing some other Bills, Shri Khan said.