Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said 'no chance of Opposition-led Third Front' after meeting PM Modi

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• May 11, 2023 | Poonam Nath

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik made the remarks after meeting PM Narendra Modi during his four-day visit to Delhi...

Digital Desk: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik denied the possible existence of an Opposition front opposing the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election on Thursday. Patnaik made the comments following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

"There is no possibility of a Third Front as far as I am concerned," the Odisha chief minister responded, as stated by ANI.

Patnaik stated that during his meeting with PM Modi, they discussed problems concerning Odisha's demand, including the construction of an international airport in Puri.

"I met with the Prime Minister, and we talked about Orissa's demand," I spoke for the International Airport that we have to establish in Puri. Bhubaneswar is currently experiencing excessive traffic. That's why we want an expansion. The PM indicated that he will surely help in every manner possible," Patnaik added.

Patnaik also said BJD would go it alone in the 2024 polls and that has "always been the plan", NDTV reported. The Odisha chief minister also stated that he has no intentions to interact with any other political parties during his visit to the capital.

Patnaik's remark follows despite speculation that the BJD president will meet with some Opposition leaders to discuss the development of a third front ahead of the 2024 election.

Patnaik's statement arrives a day after he met with his Bihar counterpart, Nitish Kumar, who has been meeting with several politicians to unite the Opposition ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to take on the BJP-led NDA.

Both leaders met at Bhubaneshwar's 'Naveen Niwas'. "Ours is a well-known friendship, and we were colleagues many years ago." "There was no discussion about alliances today," Patnaik remarked after the meeting.

While Patnaik's BJD is reputed to keep an equal distance from both the NDA and the UPA, it has frequently supported the BJP in Parliament on numerous issues and proposals.

Patnaik also met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during her visit to Odisha in March. 

Following their meeting, the Odisha chief minister stated, "We resolved to make the country's federal structure permanent and strong." There had been no other political debate."