No Decision Yet on Alliance With BJD, If Formed Naveen Will be the Leader in Odisha, Says Amit Shah

New Delhi: The BJP has not yet taken any decision on the possibility of an alliance with the BJD in Odisha, said BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday.

Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit in New Delhi, Shah said, “We haven’t decided yet on an alliance with BJD. Our party President will take a call on that. We are going to increase our strength in Odisha. BJP’s Assembly and Lok Sabha seats will increase in the state. Love of people of Odisha for PM Modi is immense.”

Shah was optimistic about the BJP winning more Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Odisha.

On being asked if the BJP could form the government in Odisha, Shah said, “Anything can happen but first let’s see if we will fight alone or go along with the BJD… If we go alone, we will fight to form the government.”

When asked whether the BJP will form the next government in Odisha, the Union Home Minister said, “If we have an alliance with the BJD, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be the leader of the alliance in Odisha. But if we go it alone, we will contest the Assembly elections to form the next government in Odisha.”