Senior BJD leader and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab on Tuesday said the statement he had recently given that the BJD would consider to make an alliance with the Congress has been grossly misinterpreted in the media.
“let me make my stand very clear. The news regarding my statement on this issue which has been published in a newspaper is utterly ‘false’ and ‘exaggerated’. Being a journalist, I know how people will accept me when I am using these two words. The responsibility of a journalist is to unravel the truth and do news which is based on facts. I have also given a clarification to the media about the statement I had given earlier on this issue,” a seemingly defensive Mahtab told an Odia TV channel.
The BJD Parliamentary Party leader further said that considering the national political scenario, he had said that if there is plan to form a front against the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would take a final call on whether the BJD would join the front.
“Besides, I had also said that the BJD might reconsider joining the front if the Congress expresses similar willingness. But I had said that the final decision in this regard would be taken by the Chief Minister, who has clarified that the BJD has no such plans to join the front,” he pointed out.
Asked whether his statement was his personal view, Mahtab said, “In my opinion, it was my personal opinion. But the final decision was with the party supremo and Chief Minister.”
“My intention was that with the changing national political scenario, the BJD should formulate its strategies accordingly. Giving such statement is not at all wrong. But misinterpretation of my opinion in this manner is not the professional ethics of a journalist,” he said.
Mahatab said his party is ahead and will remain ahead in Odisha in the triangular fight with the Congress and the BJP. “The BJD, which has always maintained equidistance from the Congress and the BJP, has to be more vocal against the Centre for its step-motherly attitude towards Odisha,” he maintained.
On October 31, Mahtab had also created a flutter in the political circle by saying the BJD would consider to make an alliance with the Congress if need arises.
He had said that he did not see any logic behind the ‘equidistance’ policy in case of the Congress as the Congress hasn’t remained the same like before. The BJD will make an amendment to its stand, if required, he said.
He had also said that the BJD would not have any issues to present the demand of Odisha before the Centre in association with the non-BJP political parties.
BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said Mahtab has given his clarification to the media about his earlier statement. Previously too, he had given his statement and later given a clarification. “We are aware of his statements and clarifications and the party supremo will take a decision in this regard very soon,” Deb added.
Asked about the meeting between Mahtab and the Chief Minister, Government Chief Whip in the State Assembly Anant Das said he has no idea about the meeting and what has transpired between the two.
He, however, said the Chief Minister, in his address at a public meeting in Baleswar district on November 3 had made it clear that the BJD would have no alliance with the Congress and the BJP as it has decided maintain equidistance from these two parties.