TNI Bureau: Amid growing political speculation in Odisha, both the Congress and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have made it clear that there will be no alliance between them for the upcoming Panchayat elections. Both parties have announced that they will contest the local body polls independently, putting an end to rumours of a possible electoral understanding.

Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) President Bhakta Charan Das stated that the Congress will fight the Zilla Parishad, Panchayat, and Municipal elections on its own strength. He firmly ruled out any alliance with the BJD for the grassroots-level elections, saying the party is prepared to test its support base independently.

The Congress decision comes at a time when internal dissatisfaction within the party has been growing over any possible understanding with the BJD. Political observers see this as a clear strategic shift, with the party trying to rebuild its identity and strengthen its independent presence in Odisha politics.

However, Bhakta Charan Das also indicated that political equations for Assembly elections could be different in the future. He said that if the party high command decides on any understanding with the BJD during Assembly polls, the state unit would follow that direction. But for now, Congress has shut the door on any alliance for Panchayat elections.

Meanwhile, senior BJD leader and MLA Prasanna Acharya also dismissed reports of any alliance talks with the Congress. He clarified that the BJD has neither proposed nor discussed any joint contest for the Panchayat polls.

“There is no proposal, so the question of alliance simply does not arise,” Acharya said, rejecting the speculation surrounding a possible partnership.

He further stated that the BJD, being the largest and most organised political party in Odisha, is fully capable of contesting the elections on its own strength. He added that there has been no internal discussion within the party regarding any alliance and reaffirmed that BJD will go solo in the Panchayat elections.

With both parties making their positions clear, the upcoming Panchayat polls in Odisha are set to witness direct political battles rather than coalition politics at the grassroots level.