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Patnaik is okay, but Yadav won't sup with BJP!

Bibhuti Mishra in Bhubaneswar

The expected electoral understanding between the beleaguered Janata Dal and the upbeat Biju Janata Dal in Orissa appears quite unlikely.

JD president Sharad Yadav has given the state unit full independence to decide its strategy, true. True too that a majority of leaders favour a seat adjustment with the BJD-Bharatiya Janata Party combine against the Congress.

But despite these, political observers say the alliance will not materialise. "The inherent contradictions between the JD and the BJD automatically kills the possibility" is how they put it.

For one, they point out, the Left would snap its ties with the JD in case something of that sort happens. More importantly, the JD, though it desires adjustment with the BJD now, would not support the BJP in case the combine wins. Thus, BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who dissolved his party's political panel, finds himself in a pretty dicey situation.

Again, most BJD leaders feel the adjustment would benefit the JD and harm their cause. If a merger is needed, then it should be of the BJD and JD, without the BJP tagging along. This, however, is not how the JD sees it.

JD leaders, for their part, claim that the alliance is 'possible.' "The Samata party had supported (Ram Vilas) Paswan in Bihar though Paswan was against having the BJP as his poll partner. Similarly I K Gujral's candidature in Bihar got endorsed by the Akali Dal, the BJP's partner. So what's the problem for the BJD?" asks former JD minister Narasingha Mishra.

Patnaik, however, is loath to committing, and gives a diplomat's answer. "We will take a decision keeping in view the BJD interests and also the interest of our partner, the BJP," he said.

The Biju Janata Dal was formed in early 1998, on the eve of the Lok Sabha poll, when the JD refused to have any understanding with the BJP against the Congress.

The Congress, meanwhile, is keeping its fingers tightly crossed.

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