Break up may prove more costly for BJP than BJD

The end of the 11-year-old alliance between the BJP and the BJD may prove to be a lot more costly for the saffron party than Naveen Patnaik's Orissa-oriented regional outfit.

The end of the 11-year-old alliance between the BJP and the BJD may prove to be a lot more costly for the saffron party than Naveen Patnaik's Orissa-oriented regional outfit.

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To start with, the BJP move to withdraw support to a government that has already completed its tenure is nothing more than an exercise in futility, according to political analysts.

The step is also not likely to achieve President's Rule in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha polls as Patnaik seems all set to win the trust vote in the 147-member assembly on March 11.

He has garnered the backing of one MLA each from the CPI(M) and CPI, two from the NCP, four from the JMM and seven independents, besides 61 from his own party to cobble together a strength of 76, two more than the requisite number.

While at the national level, the BJD's snapping ties with BJP is being seen as a blow to L K Advani's prime ministerial aspirations, at the state level, Patnaik by dumping the saffron party is expected to improve his secular credentials which took a beating after the anti-Christian riots in Khandamal, the analysts feel.