The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday ruled out any pre-poll alliance with its erstwhile partner Biju Janata Dal (BJD) or any other party for the upcoming general elections in Odisha.
“Our party is not at all keen on entering into an alliance with any party, particularly the BJD, in Odisha for the 2014 State Assembly and lok Sabha elections,” said party’s senior leader and Odisha in-charge Chandan Mitra while addressing a Press conference here.
Pooh-poohing Naveen Patnaik’s attempt to form a Third Front, Dr Mitra said, “Mr Naveen Patnaik is daydreaming to become the Prime Minister of the country.
In the past, Third Fronts did not even run for a few months. This time, it is an illusion, will never materialise. The BJP does not take seriously of it.”
Alleging that massive corruption has taken place during Patnaik’s regime, Dr Mitra said the BJP would fight the coming election mainly on two issues, corruption and nonperformance.
“The people hoodwinked by a superficial simplicity and non-Odia-speaking Naveen are going to teach him a lesson in the coming elections. They have already been fed up with the corrupt practices of his Government,” he said.
The MB Shah Commission’s revelation of irregularities in 185 mines in the State has exposed corrupt practices of the Patnaik Government, he said, adding that such scams never occurred during the BJP-BJD coalition Government in the State.
“Our party was always opposing anti-people decisions during the BJP-BJD Government. We will continue to fight corruption for the interests of the people,” he said.
Pointing fingers at the Congress, Dr Mitra said, “The Congress has ruined the country with rampant corruption. Now, the Shah Commission has nailed the BJD Government for its involvement in the multi-crore mining scam. Now, the time has come to put Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the dock,” he said.
Mitra also alleged that the BJD and the Congress are working hands in glove with each other in order to protect themselves from corruption charges.
Stating that the Narendra Modi wave is growing stronger across the country, he expressed hope that the BJP would do remarkably well in the ensuing elections in Odisha. Replying to a query, Dr Mitra said the Aam Aadmi Party is never a threat to the BJP.