Patnaik rules out support to UPA

Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has made it clear that under no circumstances his party will support the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.

He was answering questions on the tumult at the Centre after the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress decided to withdraw its support to the UPA government over diesel price hike and FDI in retail.

“Withdrawal of support by the TMC has certainly put the UPA government in a weak position. But there is no question of the BJD extending its support to the UPA,” Patnaik told reporters here on Wednesday evening, just before embarking on an official tour of New Delhi.

The chief minister also asserted that his party is prepared for a mid-term poll.