BJD won't support UPA: Patnaik

As the United Progressive Alliance was poised to form the government at the Centre, Biju Janata Dal supremo and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday ruled out extending support to the Congress-led alliance.

"We will not support a Congress-led or Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre," he told reporters, reiterating the stand taken by the party.

Alleging that Orissa had been neglected by successive governments at the Centre, Patnaik said his party would like to have a central government fulfill the 'just' demands of the people of Orissa.

Overwhelmed by the BJD's victory in the parliamentary and assembly elections in Orissa, party's chief poll strategist Pyari Mohan Mohapatra also reiterated that the party would not hesitate to sit in opposition in the Lok Sabha.

"The BJD, with more MPs in Lok Sabha, will strongly put the state's demands before the Centre," he said, adding that they would agitate before Parliament on important issues.

Mohapatra said there was no point in supporting Congress as it "continued to neglect Orissa".

"Barely two days ago, the United Progressive Alliance government has asked the state government to refund Rs 80 crore of the Rs 98 crore earlier provided as flood assistance," he said.