The BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is unlikely to attend a convention of secular parties, the first ever initiative to form a political alternative to Congress and BJP at the Centre in the forthcoming general polls in 2014 to be held at New Delhi on October 30, due to the current devastation in Odisha caused by cyclone Phailin and subsequent rains and floods.
Though the BJD chief, whose role assumed significance in the formation of a Third Front which did not materialise so far, did not react on the development, his senior party colleagues have welcomed the move being spearheaded by leaders of the left and lohia Socialist Bloc. “It is a welcome political move as the BJD has been vocal for a non-Congress and non-BJP conglomeration in the national level. The BJD would be happy to represent the proposed convention at Delhi,” said senior vice-president of BJD Dr Damodar Rout.
However, he said that as per the report, since BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik is one of the invitees, Patnaik could only take a final call on the issue. But considering the prevailing serious situation due to the twin calamity, Patnaik is unlikely to make it and hence some other members may attend the meeting on his behalf, said Dr Rout.
According to the report, the convention has been called by the left, JD (U) and Samajwadi Party. Four left parties, AIADMK, JD (U), SP, BJD, JD(S), Naga People’s Front, Sikkim Democratic Front, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha and RPI of Prakash Ambedkar have been invited to attend the convention against communalism.