Lok Sabha Elections 2019: BJD Not Part of Mahagathbandhan; ‘Will Keep Equal Distance From BJP, Congress,’ Says Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar, January 9: After rumours of an alliance with opposition parties, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said that Biju Janata Dal (BJP) will not be part of any Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance). Patnaik further added that he would like to maintain equal distance from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC). K Chandrashekar Rao, Naveen Patnaik for Unification of Regional Parties to Counter BJP, Congress.

"As far as the Mahagathbandhan is concerned, BJD is not a part of it," said Patnaik. The BJD president told news agency ANI that the party will continue to maintain equidistance from both BJP and Congress. Odisha: CM Naveen Patnaik Urges MPs, MLAs to Donate One Month Salary to Party Fund.

This decision from Patnaik comes amid talks between the various parties before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao met Naveen Patnaik and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in a bid to form a non-BJP, non-Congress federal front. After the meet, both the CMs refused to comment on their participation in the federal front.

The Mahagathbandhan is a proposed group of opposition i.e non-BJP parties, including Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), with is aiming to dethrone Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP from the centre in theupcoming Lok Sabha elections.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2019 05:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).