Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Supremo and Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik has moved to New Delhi for an extended stay. Tough it has been said he will be going New Delhi for four days, but is likely to extend his stay.
Sources indicate that the visit is primarily to confer with BJD’s Rajya Sabha members regarding the upcoming Vice Presidential election and health check up.
The BJD’s Political Affairs Committee, which met on September 6, has authorized Shri Patnaik to make a final decision on the party’s vote. This move comes as political circles are abuzz with speculation about the BJD’s stance. The election, scheduled for September 9, pits the NDA candidate, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, against the INDIA bloc’s Shri B. Sudarshan Reddy.
While political observers predict that the BJD, which holds seven seats in the Rajya Sabha, is likely to support the NDA candidate, some party insiders believe that Naveen Patnaik may “spring a surprise” and deviate from the expected line.
The BJD has historically maintained a policy of “equidistance” from both the BJP and the Congress, though it has often extended support to the NDA on key legislative matters.
Shri Patnaik’s visit to the capital also follows a recent phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had inquired about his health and invited him to Delhi. The BJD leader is expected to remain in the city until the conclusion of the Vice Presidential election to monitor the situation.