Bhubaneswar: Close on the heels of the collapse of their 11-year old alliance with BJD in Orissa, a fuming BJP on Saturday withdrew support to the Naveen Patnaik-led government and demanded imposition of President's rule in state.
"Since BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik ensured the end of the coalition, we are withdrawing support to his government and demand his immediate resignation," BJP Legislature Party leader and Industries Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan told reporters at the party headquarters.
"The people of Orissa had voted for the alliance and not for Naveen Patnaik or BJD. We demand imposition of President's rule in the state," he said.
He said BJP leaders would meet Governor M C Bhandare to formally withdraw their support to Patnaik government.
Since the government would be reduced to a minority following withdrawal of support, President's rule should be imposed in the state, he added.
The BJD had 61 members in the 147-member assembly while the saffron party has 30 MLAs.
BJP Rajya Sabha member Chandan Mitra, who arrived in Bhubaneswar on Friday as emissary of Advani to thrash out the seat-sharing formula, described the collapse of the alliance as an "unexpected turn of events."
BJP state President Suresh Pujari blamed the Chief Minister for the break-up of the alliance saying Patnaik's "unilateral announcement in this regard is unfortunate."
"We will be leaving for Delhi tomorrow morning to discuss this matter with our central leadership," he said.
In the state assembly, main opposition Congress has 38 MLAs, JMM four, CPI and CPI(M) one each, NCP two and eight independent members.
While BJD requires the support of 74 legislators, it was understood to be enjoying the backing of JMM, CPI, CPI(M) and independent members, BJD sources said.
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