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By Pallab Ghosh
11-year-long alliance between BJD-BJP came to an end on Saturday over the seat sharing issue. BJD wanted to contest nearly 80 per cent of the Assembly and Lok Sabha seats, citing its winnability chances. BJD may form a ‘third-front’ in the state.
In a major setback to the NDA campaign, the alliance between Biju Janata Dal (BJD)- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to an end with Orissa chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, announcing that he would go to polls without the support of BJP and contest the Lok Sabha election independently. With this the 11-year-long alliance between BJD and BJP regarded as one of the long time alliance ended.
The decision of quitting the alliance came in the wake of talks between Patnaik and BJP failed over seat sharing in the forthcoming general elections. The talks ended when the BJP refused BJD to contest on 80 per cent seats proposed by Patnaik citing the winnability issue. “I am left with no other option but to quit. Unfortunately, the alliance between BJD-BJP has failed and we decide to contest independently”, said Patnaik. “We have taken this decision on the winnability factor”, added Patnaik.
However, there could be a possibility that the BJD may negotiate with a "third front" if such a situation formation arose.
Chandan Mitra, Rajya Sabha member and BJP's emissary, from New Delhi who went to Bhubaneshwar on Saturday held two rounds of talks with Patnaik on the seat sharing which failed. . “I can’t disclose the details in front of the media right now but I assure you we will inform the latest development following a high level party leadership meeting on Sunday in New Delhi”, said Mitra who said both sides were examining the ground reality.
However, political analysts are watching this development as a major setback for the BJP and L K Advani in person, the prime ministerial candidate as the BJD-BJP alliance in the state was regarded as one of the successful alliance which in the being for 11 years. The sudden development may raise questions that BJP may find difficult to reply and convince electorates in the state.
