Amidst speculation over BJP- BJD alliance in Odisha, BJP leaders leave for New Delhi

Published By : Prasanta Dash | March 10, 2024 8:19 PM

Bhubaneswar, March 10: With the ongoing alliance discussions in Odisha between the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and BJP, state BJP President Manmohan Samal, Organizational Secretary Manas Mohanty, election in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, and co-in charge Lata Usendi, left for New Delhi this evening.

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They are set to attend an emergent meeting scheduled to be held here in New Delhi with the central election committee of the BJP.

This meeting could finalize candidate selections for the Lok Sabha and assembly seats in the upcoming elections, shedding light on the possibility of an alliance between the BJP and BJD in Odisha, as rumored.

While BJP leaders deny any alliance talks with the rulling party for the ensuing General Election 2024, BJD sources maintain that discussions have taken place at the highest level.

The seat-sharing ratio remains a sticking point between the two parties. In their previous alliance, the BJD contested 84 Assembly and 12 Lok Sabha seats, leaving 63 and 9, respectively, for the BJP.

Also Read: Will BJD-BJP alliance take place in Odisha ?

Analysts believe that an alliance between the BJP and BJD could secure victory across all 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, even though the Congress may see an increase in its vote share.

For the BJP, this move is seen as low-risk, while BJD aims for a sixth consecutive term for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, making him India’s the longest-serving CM. The allocation of seats between the two parties is still under negotiation. Sources suggest that the BJP may focus on more Lok Sabha seats, while the BJD prioritizes assembly seats.

The BJD and BJP have a history of both collaboration and contention. Between 1998 and 2009, they formed an alliance, contesting three Lok Sabha and two assembly elections together. However, recent discussions about a formal alliance seem to have hit a roadblock.

Only time will reveal whether these two parties find a common ground or continue their parallel paths. to fight the upcoming elections.