Patnaik says no to BJP, keeps 3rd Front option open

New Delhi, April 15:

Chief Minister

on Monday ruled out his party Biju Janata Dal (

) having any tie-up with its former ally

in the next general elections, and maintained that the Third Front was a "very healthy" option.

"There is no question of any alliance with BJP," he told reporters on the sideline of a conference.

When asked whether there was any chance of revival of the Third Front, Mr Patnaik said, "I think the Third Front is a very healthy option. But it is still early days."

BJD, which has been ruling the eastern state since 1999, had an alliance with BJP till 2009. However, the regional party snapped ties with BJP just before the 2009 Odisha assembly elections. The party has 14 members in Lok Sabha.

The party was a constituent of Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government in which Patnaik held a Cabinet berth.

PTI