Odisha state BJP leaders called to Delhi amid high speculation of alliance with BJD

PM Modi, Amit Shah to give final nod to proposed coalition

By Mahendra Darjee

Bhubaneswar, March 10: As confusion reigned supreme over a possible alliance between Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP), the saffron party’s state president Manmohan Samal, organising secretary Manas Mohanty along with party’s election in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar and co-in-charge Lata Ushendi left for New Delhi on Sunday evening.

Speculation ran high in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar that the four top BJP leaders flew to Delhi after being called by the party’s central leadership to agree to a proposal for a tie-up with the BJD.

However, BJP state president Manmohan Samal told reporters here at the airport that he was going to Delhi to discuss “seat-wise discussion” with the central leadership to finalise the candidates’ list.

“We are going to Delhi to hold a seat-wise discussion. Deliberations will be held on how to do well in the elections,” said Samal.

Election in-charge Vijayapal Singh Tomar reiterated that there will be alliance with the BJD.

“There has been no discussion on alliance so far. We are fully prepared to contest from all the 147 assembly seats and 21 parliamentary constituencies,” said Tomar.

Reliable sources said the top leaderships in BJD and BJP are inching closer to an alliance deal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah will take a final call on the alliance deal.

Meanwhile, BJP co-in-charge for elections in Odisha, Lata Usendi, on Sunday added to the ongoing ambiguity.

While talking to reporters, Lata said that such speculation is going on only in the media.

“We are ready to fight on all seats, be it assembly or Lok Sabha in Odisha and discussion was held on each seat in Delhi. A crucial meeting with party office bearers in Odisha will be held today,” said Lata.

On Saturday, BJP’s election in-charge for Odisha Vijaypal Singh Tomar had categorically stated that no BJD leader met him.

Earlier on March 7, two BJD leaders- bureaucrat-turned BJD politician VK Pandian and BJD organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das — had visited New Delhi in a special flight reportedly to carry forward the discussions with the BJP on the modalities of a coalition.