A day after the end of the BJD-BJP alliance in Orissa, a new political equation emerged in the state with the CPM and BJD sewing up a pre-poll alliance. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, asked by Governor M C Bhandare today to take a floor test following the BJP withdrawal of support to his government, was all set to prove his majority on March 11 with support from the Left, NCP and JMM.

CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury told reporters after meeting Patnaik that his party would have a pre-poll alliance with the BJD. “I congratulate Naveen for severing ties with BJP after 10 years.” Responding to a question on the BJD joining the Third Front, Yechury said a discussion in this regard had already begun.

Patnaik, on his part, said: “BJD will have seat sharing adjustment with the Left parties. Party leaders will decide which seats will be given to them.” He said winnability would be the prime factor while selecting candidates.

His father Biju Patnaik, a Janata Dal leader, had also entered into an alliance with Left parties for the 1990 Assembly election in Orissa. They had together won 125 of the 147 Assembly seats in the state.

Patnaik, who met Bhandare at the Raj Bhavan this morning along with 58 of the 61 BJD legislators, said the Governor has given him 72 hours to prove his majority. He was also accompanied by 3 of the 4 JMM members, 2 of the NCP, 1 CPM, 1 CPI and 7 Independents who had won the 2004 Assembly polls with BJD backing.

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