Cong camp in Orissa upbeat over Andhra results

With the party sweeping assembly poll in bordering Andhra, Cong camp in Orissa, appeared upbeat about forming the next Govt.

With the party sweeping assembly poll in bordering Andhra Pradesh, Congress camp in Orissa, where simultaneous assembly and parliamentary polls were held, appeared upbeat about forming the next government in the state despite exit polls predicting a majority for the BJP-BJD combine.

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Congress leaders here say that not only in the southern districts like Koraput, Rayagada, Nabrangpur, Malkamgiri, Ganjam and Gajapati bordering Andhra Pradesh, but in the coastal Orissa as well, the party could do well which would help it to wrest power after a gap of four years.

OPCC President J B Patnaik, a former Chief Minister who had ruled the state for nearly 14 years, expressed confidence of getting a majority to form government.

BJD leaders were, however, putting up a brave front discounting any possibility of the swing in favour of Congress crossing the border.

Seeking to underplay the impact of Andhra Pradesh results, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed confidence yesterday of returning to power for the second term in the state with a comfortable majority.

He, however, said "Chandrababu Naidu is a respected colleague and an ally of the NDA, but one has to respect the mandate of the people".