Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik on Thursday did not rule out the possibility of his taking a lead role in giving concrete shape to the proposed Federal Front as an alternative to the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA.
“I will examine the issue of taking initiative in formation of a Federal Front,” said Patnaik here on his return from his four-day stay in New Delhi. Talking to reporters on the proposed Federal Front (FF) as mooted by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Patnaik said that though the proposed “Federal Front has not yet taken a concrete shape, I think it is a good thing for the country.”
Though he refrained from elaborating his discussions being held with Bihar Chief Minister and Senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and TMC chief Banerjee on a possible political alternative at the Centre, Patnaik said, “It is still early days for discussion about Federal Front.”
However, he said, “let us see in its future and how it proceeds.” On being asked that the BJD has no option but to join a Federal Front since he has already announced to maintain equidistance from the Congress and the BJP, Patnaik remarked. “let’s see how it works.”
To another question as to which other parties are joining the FF, he said, “Noting has taken shape.” Patnaik had told newspersons in Delhi on Wednesday that the BJD would look at the moves by Mamata Banerjee for a Federal Front. Banerjee also said on Wednesday that she has already talked to Nitish Kumar and Patnaik on the issue. She said they would talk again on the issue soon. A couple of other leaders including Jharkhand Vikash Manch (JVM) chief Babulal Marandi had also talked to her on the issue.