BJD-BJP to stake claim to form govt under Naveen

Naidu said the BJP legislature party would elect its leader on Wednesday and on Thursday there would be a joint meeting of the BJP and BJD elected members where Naveen Patnaik would be elected as leader of the alliance. Naidu said the leaders of both parties would sit and discuss the size and composition of the new ministry on Thursday.

Naveen Patnaik indicated that his ministry would not be a big one. The state had experienced a super cyclone and its economy was in a bad shape, hence the size of the ministry would be decided keeping in mind the need to maintain austerity measures, Patnaik told newsmen at the airport on his arrival from Delhi.

However, Patnaik who has been elected as leader of the 68-member BJD legislature group, said he would discuss with his party leaders as well as the leaders of BJD’s ally, BJP about the representation from both parties in the ministry. Asked about having a deputy Chief Minister in his ministry, Patnaik said, "I will consult my party and Venkaiahji will discuss with his party leaders and then only it will be finalised.”

On Thursday a joint legislature party meeting of BJP and BJD would be convened to elect Patnaik as the leader of the combine, he said. Both parties would then formally convey to the Governor about the election of the leader and after the Governor invites the BJD president to form the ministry, the process would start, he said.

Patnaik said the new ministry would take oath within the next few days. Asked about ratio of BJD and BJP in the new ministry, Naidu quipped, "These things are not discussed in a press conference." He said both the parties had fought the elections together and given certain assurances to the people: "We will abide by the common minimum programme drawn up by the combine."

Patnaik said his main concern was the hardship suffered by the people because of the super cyclone, continuous drought in parts of the state, and the need to undertake developmental works.