BJD Signals Possible Return To NDA 15 Years After Ditching BJP

15 years after ending ties with the BJP, the BJD in Odisha has hinted at joining the NDA alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Though there have been no formal announcements in this regard, leaders from both parties hinted at a potential collaboration ahead of the Lok Sabha and assembly elections on Wednesday.

In a key meeting at Naveen Niwas, the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, BJD leaders discussed various matters. Simultaneously, BJP leaders held a similar meeting in the national capital to deliberate on election-related issues, including the prospect of forming an alliance, PTI reported.

Following over three hours of discussions, BJD vice-president and MLA Debi Prasad Mishra acknowledged that talks had taken place over a potential alliance.

"Biju Janata Dal will prioritise the greater interests of the people of Odisha. Yes, there were discussions on the issue (alliance)," Mishra said.

A statement from the BJD read: "An extensive discussion was held under the leadership of BJD president and CM Naveen Patnaik with the senior leaders of the party today regarding the strategy of the upcoming Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections."

On the other hand, senior BJP leader and MP Jual Oram had a meeting presided over by BJP president JP Nadda in Delhi. After the meeting, Oram said that they were talks on a pre-poll alliance with the BJD. However, the decision on the ties will be taken by the the party's central leadership.

"Yes, there were discussions on the alliance among other issues. The party's central leadership will make the final call," Oram, who is personally against the alliance, said.

Top leaders of the state including Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, attended the core committee meeting chaired by Nadda.

Once regarded as the BJP's trusted ally within the NDA, the ties ended in 2009 following unsuccessful negotiations over seat-sharing. The breakdown was officially attributed to the BJD's insistence on reducing the BJP's allotment of assembly seats from 63 to approximately 40, and parliamentary seats from nine to six.

As the BJP felt it was an unreasonable demand, the saffron party broke the ties in 2009.

However, the alliance had secured victories in Lok Sabha elections in 1998, 1999, and 2004, as well as assembly elections in 2000 and 2004.