Report by OD bureau; New Delhi: BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik today scotched speculation of his party supporting the UPA government following Trinamool Congress' decision to withdraw support.

Patnaik said his party will maintain equal distance from Congress and BJP. He said this while answering a question whether his party BJD is exploring option as like Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. As  Nitish Kumar said his party, JD (U) will support any party that gives Bihar special status. With this statement of Patnaik now BJD's stance is clearer in this fluid political situation arising out of withdrawal of support to the Congress-led UPA government by Mamata Banerjee.

He also dismissed reports of Congress leaders having approached him in this regard. Nobody has met me. The BJD will not be supporting the UPA government, Patnaik told reporters here when asked about media reports that a senior Congress leader had met him. Over BJD's stance over FDI in retail, Patnaik said his party will examine the issue.