With the BJP trying to strengthen its base in Odisha ahead of the 2019 elections, senior BJD leader Damodar Rout on Monday said that the ruling party would be ready to tie up with the opposition Congress to keep the "communal forces" at bay.
The Biju Janata Dal Vice President, however, maintained that the final decision would be taken by party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
"Congress is a secular party. We have an ideological difference with the saffron party. But no ideological difference with the Congress. It is only our political opponent. Time has come to unite all the non-BJP and anti-communal political outfits to come together," Rout said.
"We will welcome if the Congress joins us. Our party is ready for alliance with Congress to keep communal party like BJP at bay. But, party president will take the final call," said the BJD leader.
Rout also asked the Congress to submit a list of Assembly segments where they could confidently win the general polls in 2019.
However, BJD Lok Sabha member Kalikesh Singh Deo said the ruling party can form the government on its own in 2019 without forging any alliance with other parties.
"There is no need of alliance. The BJD can take on the BJP alone. We have maintained equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress. However, party president would take the final decision on forging alliance with any party," said Deo.
On the other hand, the Congress reacted to the statement of Rout affirmatively.
"This is the personal opinion of Rout. If the BJD proposes, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) will take the final call," said Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Prasad Harichandan.
Senior Congress leader and leader of opposition Narasingh Mishra said the party high command will take the final decision on the matter.
"I can't say on the development unless the statement comes from Naveen Patnaik. All secular parties should unite against the communal front. However, the final decision rests with the Congress high command," said Mishra.
Meanwhile, Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the ruling BJD is now fearing the rising popularity of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.
He said the possible alliance of the BJD and the Congress would not affect the BJP in the days ahead.
"Congress is a zero, BJD is also a zero, joining of two zeros will make only a zero," Javadekar said.
"BJP will come to power with the blessings of people," he added.
--IANS
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