BJD endorses statement issued by Left, allies

New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik on Monday endorsed the joint statement issued by Left parties and its allies for the formation of a secular non-Congress-non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government after the forthcoming general elections.

In a letter written to Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat, Patnaik said: "I have endorsed the press statement and wish all of us success in our endeavour in the service of the people of our country". The letter was released by the CPI-M on Monday.

Election special: The Great Indian Poll Tamasha

Before leaving for Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's dinner on Sunday, the Left parties and its allies - Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the AIADMK had issued a statement saying that they would work together to defeat the Congress and the BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The BJD of Orissa Chief Minister Patnaik had March 7 snapped its 11-year-old alliance with the BJP in the state.