Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday reiterated that the BJD would maintain equidistance from the Congress and the BJP raising a fresh speculation of formation of a Third Front to take on both the national parties.
The fresh statement of the BJD supremo in New Delhi assumed significance as the party is now facing strong opposition from the BJP in the State.
In the wake of the BJP’s impressive performance in the panchayat polls in the State and also in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand Assembly elections, the regional political party might take a call on the suggestions made by former Prime Minister HD Devegowda and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav for merger of all splinter groups of the erstwhile Janata Parivar.
Patnaik’s statement came a week after JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar called on the former here.
What has further added credence to the speculations on Janata Parivar merger is BJD spokesperson Surjya Narayan Patro’s remark last week that a unification of the Janata Dal splinter groups would be “beneficial” for the people of the country.
Patro had stated that Naveen Patnaik would take an appropriate decision at a right time.
Notably, after his meeting with Patnaik on March 7, Sharad Yadav had said he would personally be very happy if all the Janata Dal Parivar members merge together.
What has added to the speculation of an alignment of the BJD, an erstwhile Janata Parivar, with the Janata splinter groups is the near-total eclipse of the Congress in the panchayat polls. The Congress’ decline helped the BJP emerge as a formidable force against the BJD’s 20-year-old dominance on the State’s political scenario.