Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today held a high-level meeting under the chairmanship of party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patanaik at his residence here in the presence of several senior leaders.
Over 20 top BJD leaders including party organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, MP Manas Mangraj, Sasmit Patra, Ministers Tukuni Sahoo, Ashok Panda, Ranendra Pratap Swain, Pratap Keshari Deb, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Snehangini Chhuria, Usha Devi, Bikrama Keshari Arukha, Prasanna Acharya, Priti Ranjan Ghadai and Jagannath Saraka attended the meeting.
It is widely speculated that a discussion was held over a possible pre-poll alliance with the BJP. Political analysts opined that both parties may go for an alliance again after a gap of 15 years.
Some also believe that the meeting featured a discussion on the various welfare programmes of the State government.
As per reports, the Chief Minister discussed with senior leaders regarding proper implementation of government schemes. The CM has given priority to the development of the people of Odisha. Senior leaders have been given the responsibility to ensure the execution of pro-people schemes.
The alliance talk also got an impetus as senior BJP leaders have been called to Delhi by the central leadership for a crucial meeting on Wednesday evening.
Separate meetings by the two parties have fuelled the talks of ties between BJP and BJD.
The talk of alliance also gained traction on Tuesday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik displayed camaraderie in public by lauding each other at a government event at Chandikhol in Jajpur district.
However, the objective of the important meeting remains unclear until the party supremo comes out with details.
The BJD and BJP had earlier formed a coalition government twice in 2000 and 2004 in Odisha.
