BJD seeks fringe parties' support to save government

Bhubaneswar, Mar 8 (ANI): A day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) withdrew its support, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is working to garner support of fringe parties and independent candidates to save its government.

The BJD has 61 MLA in the 147 members Orissa Assembly.

It now requires 13 more MLA to achieve the magic figure of 74 to remain in power.

The party was close to muster the support of 14 more MLAs from JMM, CPI and CPI-M.

The BJP, which had 32 members in the assembly, suffered a setback as two of its MLAs resigned from the party last week.

The BJD is confident of getting the support of two MLAs of the Left parties.

The party is also hopeful to secure the support of four JMM and eight independent MLAs.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has already decided to support BJD in Orissa.

CPI (M) Politburo member, Brinda Karat said in case of a floor test, they would support Patnaik.

On Saturday night, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders met Orissa Governor M. C. Bhandare to intimate him its decision to pull out from the government.

The party also demanded President's rule in the state.

BJP leader Biswa Bhusan Harichandan said that the Governor had assured the BJP delegation that he would take appropriate steps at the right time.

The BJP leader claimed that the people of Orissa have voted for the alliance, not for Naveen Patnaik or the Biju Janata Dal.

Harichandan also said that Patnaik has betrayed the people of Orissa by breaking the alliance. (ANI)