West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamta Banerjee yesterday spoke to her Odisha and Bihar counterparts on the formation of a federal front amid speculation over the widening rift in the National Democratic Alliance, NDA. JD(U) General Secretary K C Tyagi also had a meeting with Ms. Banerjee in Kolkata in this regard.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that his party, BJD would look into the matter if a federal front comes up.
Meanwhile, the BJP has said that it will try to continue its alliance with the JD(U) in the interest of the people of Bihar. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, party spokesperson, Shahnawaz Hussain said that people of the state gave a mandate for the BJP- JD(U) alliance and it should be respected.
Senior BJP leader L K Advani also spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav amidst speculation that the two parties may part ways over the elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as chairman of the BJP's campaign Committee. Sources said, Mr. Advani, during the telephonic conversations with the two leaders, impressed upon them to stay united to face the Lok Sabha elections.
Congress spokesman, Rajiv Shukla termed the development as an internal matter of the NDA. However, he said that it was a welcome move if it adheres to the ideals of secularism.