BJD rules out alliance with JMM

Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Saturday said it will not have any seat-sharing pact with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

Last week the BJD initiated a dialogue with state JMM leaders to enter into a seat-sharing pact for a few assembly seats in Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh districts.

BJD vice president Kalpataru Das said the talks failed. "We have decided not to have any seat adjustment with JMM. BJD will go it alone in all the 147 assembly seats in the state."

The elections to 21 Lok Sabha seats and the 147-member state assembly would be held in two phases April 10 and 17.