BJP alleges Cong-BJD deal after CBI director met Naveen

Party may opt for seat sharing with smaller parties in Odisha instead of alliance

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today alleged that the Congress is trying to strike a political deal with the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ahead of the general elections by threatening to probe  the mining and chit fund scams in Odisha by the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI).

The rumours of Congress-BJD understanding became conspicuous after CBI director Ranjit Sinha paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his office on Monday. “Nowhere in the country, it is customary that the investigating agency bosses and judges pay courtesy visits to the chief ministers and other political leaders when they are on a private tour. The fact that Sinha is staying at the Governor’s House indicate that some hush up is going on or going to happen,” Suresh Pujari, spokesperson for Odisha BJP, told media persons here.

There are at least four cases pending at the Supreme Court seeking CBI probe into mining scam, chit fund scam, OMC-Sainik coal deal and murder of a lady teacher in the state. The top court is expected to give its verdict in a couple of these cases later this month.

At such a time, the meeting of CBI director with chief minister has raised doubt that the Congress-led UPA government is trying to reach some understanding with BJD ahead of the general elections. “Both the Congress and BJD must explain it,” Pujari demanded. BJD, which had earlier expressed its desire for formationof an alternative force against Congress and BJP, had recently stayed away from the meeting of the Third Front at Delhi, fuelling speculation about its intention to join such a front.

Pujari said, the U-turn taken by Patnaik shows that he might have made some understanding with the Congress in exchange for not allowing CBI probe into scams committed during his tenure.

Though the BJP leaders did not elaborate about what kind of understanding the two parties might have reached at, sources said, BJD might field weaker candidates in some Lok Sabha seats for smooth sail of Congress candidates there. Meanwhile, the BJP, which began discussion with smaller and new parties to boost its electoral fortunes in the state, today said, instead of alliance, the party may opt for seat sharing with three parties, namely Utkal Bharat, Ama Odisha and Samata Kranti, floated by disgruntled BJP, BJD and Congress leaders. “We are ready for seat sharing with the parties provided it is mutually agreeable,” said Pujari.

But the sources said, the number of seats demanded by the three smaller parties, which are in talks with BJP for poll alliance, appear to be ‘unrealistic’. Together, they have asked for 130 seats out of a total 147 seats in the assembly, leaving only 17 seats for BJP.

“This is totally unacceptable to BJP. Such absurd demands will only jeopardise the prospect of any poll alliance in the state,” pointed out a party leader.