Bhubaneswar, March, 5: The political landscape in Odisha has been buzzing with rumours about the alliance between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While both parties have publicly denied any negotiations, recent developments suggest that something might be brewing.
Speculations of an alliance between the BJP and BJD have warmed up the political atmosphere in the state. If such an alliance materializes, it would mark the BJD’s return to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold after a gap of 15 years. However, the exact contours of this potential alliance remain uncertain.
Sources indicate that discussions are underway between the BJD and BJP regarding seat sharing. The BJD may secure a majority of Assembly constituency seats, while the BJP could opt for more Lok Sabha seats.
Senior BJP leaders have been summoned to Delhi for a crucial meeting, and BJD leaders along with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held a meeting at Naveen Nivas. These meetings have fueled speculation about a possible alliance.
The camaraderie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been noticeable. During Modi’s recent visit to Odisha, he praised Patnaik as a “very popular Chief Minister” who transformed Odisha into a model of development. Patnaik reciprocated, calling Modi a “visionary leader” who has transformed India into an economic powerhouse.
While both parties continue to deny any formal alliance, the public display of goodwill between Modi and Patnaik suggests that there may be more to the story than meets the eye. As the election season unfolds, we’ll have to wait and see whether this political intrigue translates into a concrete electoral partnership.
