Left supports BJD, hopes to forge alliance

The Left on Sunday came out in support of the Naveen Patnaik government, which was reduced to a minority following snapping of ties with ally Bharatiya Janata Party, and even hinted at forging an alliance with the Biju Janata Dal for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Orissa.

"We have said in case of test on the floor, the MLAs of the Communist Party of India-Marxist will be supporting his (Patnaik's) government," CPI-M politburo member Brinda Karat said.
     
After the BJD parted ways with BJP, it sought the support of the Left and other parties in a bid to continue in power.
Patnaik spoke to CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat and party leader Sitaram Yechury has rushed to
Bhuwaneshwar accompanied by Orissa CPI-M secretary Janardan Pati. The Central Committee of the CPI-M is holding a two-day session of the Central Committee in Delhi.

Extending support to the BJD , CPI leader D Raja said there will be no threat to its stability due to pullout by the
BJP.
      
"It is a positive development. It is clear that the allies of NDA are learning lessons about BJP's communal politics out of their own experience," Raja told PTI. There is a real possibility for cooperation between the Left parties and the BJD in the upcoming elections, Raja said

BJD Rajya Sabha member Jay Panda spoke to Raja last night after the developments in Bhuwaneshwar. Speaking in the same vein, Karat claimed it was "the beginning of the unravelling of the National Democratic Alliance and the United Progressive Alliance. "In the coming days, the non-Congress, non-BJP parties will come together to form an alternative government in this government to bring some relief to the people." While BJD, headed by Patnaik, has 61 members in the 147-member assembly, it requires the support of 13 more legislators to achieve the magic figure of 74 for remaining in power. The CPM and CPI have one MLA each.