No possibility of ‘third front’: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Days after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Chief Minister on Thursday ruled out the possibility of forming a "third front" for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, news agency ANI quoted him as saying.

Addressing reporters' questions on opposition unity ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the chief minister said, “No, as far as I am concerned. Not now."

Earlier in the day, Patnaik met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed several issues related to Odisha's demands. During the meeting, the Chief Minister informed PM Modi about the international airport to be constructed at Bhubaneshwar and Puri as the cities are witnessing a large increase in traffic.

The Prime Minister told Patnaik that he would lend all possible help needed. Talking about his interaction with Kumar, Patnaik called it a mere "courtesy" meeting. He added that they have not held any talks on any alliance before the 2024 elections. Patnaik said the two had shared friendship for a very long time and were also colleagues, adding that he was giving the Puri land to the Bihar government to set up Bihar Bhawan on it.

Notably, the Bihar chief minister also said there was nothing political about his meeting with Patnaik. Like the Odisha Chief Minister, Kumar also said that the friendship between them has a long tradition as he even had a good relationship with Patnaik's father. The Bihar Chief Minister added that the two never think about politics as they both share a lot of respect for each other. Especially in an effort to unite all parties ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls against the BJP, Kumar met many opposition leaders.