Biju Janata Dal keep options open on support

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik kept third front and BJP leaders on tenterhooks on extending his support after the poll results are out on Friday.

Mr Patnaik, who returned from a week-long visit to New Delhi, told reporters that the party had not yet given any thought into the post-poll alliance. “We have not thought about it yet,” he said.

Asked if he had any talks with leaders of other parties, the CM said there had been no talks with anybody till now.
To a query if his party would support the NDA to form the government at the Centre, Mr Patnaik reiterated that the party would maintain “equidistance” from both the Congress and the BJP.

The BJD chief, however, indicated that the party might rethink its future move depending upon the poll outcome.
“At this moment, our position is not to join any alliance. It is difficult to say what will happen in the future,” Mr Patnaik said.