Naveen to Karat: no NDA or UPA,with you

Karat had flown in specifically to secure a definite assurance from Naveen that he would stick with the Front and not switch to either the NDA or the UPA. Wooing Naveen in all earnestness,Karat said the BJD boss would play a key role in forming a non-Congress and non-BJP secular alliance. Our assessment is that no party will get definite majority and secular parties like us will be able to muster enough support to form the Government. Naveen Patnaik will play a key role in the formation of the Government at the Centre, said Karat.

Naveen said he wont support a Congress or BJP Government at the Centre should they fall short of majority. Asked if he was in the race for the Prime Ministers post in case the Third Front was able to form a government,he clarified: Prime Minister,no. Chief Minister,with the blessings of the people,yes.

Naveen said his party would get the required majority to form a stable Government in the state. We are going to secure a handsome majority to form a stable Government in Orissa, he said. If BJD and its allies NCP and the Left parties win 74 seats,Naveen will become the first person to have become Chief Minister of the state for the third time in a row.