BJP to contest panchayat polls with BJD

New Delhi, June 17 (UNI) The BJP today decided to contest the forthcoming Panchayat Polls in Orissa, scheduled for December this year, in alliance with the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Core Committee which reviewed the performance of the BJP in Orissa where the party is in coalition with the ruling BJD, BJP General Secretary Vinay Katiyar said.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani attended the meeting convened by Party President Rajnath Singh at the BJP Headquarters.

The BJD-BJP coalition had performed well during the last two-and-half years, Mr Katiyar added.

The BJP central leadership was of the view that there was good coordination between the two parties and there was a need to improve the relationship.

Senior party leader Jaswant Singh and Party General Secretary Sanjay Joshi also attended the meeting.

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