It’s too early to take a call on Prez polls: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

By Subrat Sarangi

New Delhi, March 30: As hectic parleys have begun among major political parties in the country for the election new President, all eyes are now on Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and YSR Congress whose support is considered crucial for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in securing win for the party’s nominee.

President Ram Nath Kovind is completing his current tenure on July 24, 2022.

Clearing the air on the BJD’s stand, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik who is presently on a three-day trip to New Delhi, on Tuesday said, “There is still some time for the Presidential elections and therefore no thoughts at this moment.”

In Delhi, the CM held a meeting with BJD MPs in the Parliament and also spent time in the Central Hall.

To a question whether the BJD will prefer a consensus candidate for the President’s post, Patnaik said, “The BJD hasn’t thought about it yet. Still it is early days.”

To a question on West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s letter to non-BJP chief ministers and other opposition leaders for an anti-BJP front, Patnaik said, “I haven’t received the letter yet. BJD stands for the development and welfare of our State and that’s what our party stands for.”

TMC MP Dola Sen said the Narendra Modi Ji-led central government is using Central agencies like CBI for the party’s benefit and against the Opposition which is unfortunate. “They have also sent a partisan governor to all non-BJP states to increase problems further. It’s unethical, unconstitutional,” she charged.

“So, West Bengal CM Mamata Ji wrote a letter to every Opposition leader & CMs so that everyone gets united to raise questions against BJP. The Opposition is & will remain united; every Opposition has a good connection with Mamata Ji,” tweeted ANI quoting Dola Sen.