Naveen Patnaik says no talk as of now on extending support to NDA

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said that no talks have taken place as yet with regard to supporting any BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

"Well, all I can say that at the moment we had no such talks and no such decisions had been taken," Patnaik told reporters here.

On being told that some leaders of his party were hinting at the possibility of extending support to the BJP-led NDA, Patnaik said: "I do not know about that. I want to state here quite clearly that no such thoughts had been there on any alliance."

He also refused to give his thoughts on the exit polls.

"We do not have to wait too long. Day after tomorrow, we will see the results," he said.

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He reiterated on his party's stand of keeping equi-distance from the BJP- led NDA and the Congress-led UPA.

Commenting on the issue of supporting a Third Front, Patnaik said, "there are no such thoughts at the moment."

Earlier, party leader Jay Panda said: "Naveen Patnaik has said BJD is equidistant from BJP and Congress, but demands for conditional support to next government are there."

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A top BJD leader had yesterday hinted that his party may join back the NDA camp to help in government formation at the Centre.

BJD leader Pravati Tripathi said on Wednesday that the Naveen Patnaik-led party may give conditional support to the NDA at the Centre.

The BJD has demanded special state status for Odisha in exchange of its support to the NDA.