2019 Elections: Naveen Patnaik Says BJD Won’t Join Mahagathbandhan

The Odisha Chief Minister said the party will continue to remain equidistant from both the BJP and the Congress.

With barely a few months to go for the Lok Sabha elections, Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, 9 January, announced that the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will not join the Mahagathbandhan – or the Grand Alliance.

The Odisha Chief Minister further said the party will continue to remain equidistant from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress.

Earlier, on Tuesday, party president Patnaik had said he needed more time to firm his decision.