Naveen keeps Mulayam guessing over Third Front

BJD supremo says it is too early to talk about it

Responding to suggestions that regional outfit Biju Janata Dal, currently in power in Odisha, might join the chorus with Samajwadi Party head Mulayam Singh Yadav for formation of a Third Front, keeping in view the impending elections, the party supremo, Naveen Patnaik today said it was too early to talk about aligning with a new political combine at the Centre.

"It is too early to talk about it (Third Front)," he said reporters after arriving from New Delhi ending his five-day tour.

When asked about premature general election ahead of the scheduled one in 2014, he said," Let's see, what happens."

Last week, BJD leader in Lok Sabha, Bhartuhari Mahatab had kick started speculations saying that his party is open to join any front that can come to power after the polls. Later, however, he retracted and reiterated his party boss' oft repeated statement that BJD believes in maintaining equidistance from right wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the scam-tainted Congress.

The ruling BJD was part of the Third Front in the 2009 elections. However, the recent statements by the BJD chief has created uncertainty over the formation of Third Front, for which Samajwadi Party head Mulayam Singh Yadav has been advocating vigorously. Though SP and BJD have largely agreed upon many political issues, they supported different candidates in Presidential election last year.

The newly appointed state BJP chief K V Singhdeo has recently said that there was no possibility of revival of tie-ups with its old ally BJD.

However, sources said, the regional party, which has kept its cards close to the chest on the issue of poll alignments, is keen for a larger role at the Centre and would only clear the air on the issue after the election schedule.

In the wake of the controversy over Mahatab's statement, senior BJD leader Damodar Rout recently said that only Patnaik could take a decision on a possible alliance with any party for the next election.

At present, BJD has 14 members in Lok Sabha and 7 members in Rajya Sabha.