BHUBANESWAR: PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Odisha on Saturday added grist to swirling speculation about a potential alliance between BJD and BJP ahead of Lok Sabha elections, as both he and CM Naveen Patnaik displayed rare bonhomie during an event at IIM Sambalpur.
“Odisha governor Raghubar Das ji, CM and my mitra (friend) Shriman Naveen Patnaik ji. It’s a remarkable day in the journey of development in Odisha,” Modi said, while inaugurating the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur from where he launched projects worth Rs 68,000 crore for the state.
In response, Naveen praised Modi for India’s economic progress.“Honourable PM has set a new direction for India. We are on the path to become an economic powerhouse,” he said.
Later, at a public meeting in Sambalpur, Modi refrained from targeting Naveen or BJD and highlighted achievements and schemes of Centre, benefiting various sections of society in Odisha over the past decade.
Despite the aggressive approach of state BJP leaders towards Naveen, the central leadership has maintained a softer stand.
The political dynamics gained significance due to Naveen’s support for Modi govt on contentious legislationx, presidential elections, policies, and his high rating (8 out of 10) of PM’s performance. This led to speculation about a potential BJD-BJP alliance in Odisha, reminiscent of their coalition govt from 2000 to 2009.
Meanwhile, Congress Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar said, “We solemnised a marriage between BJD and BJP. Modi’s silence on Naveen and BJD proved that they are no longer rivals.”
“Odisha governor Raghubar Das ji, CM and my mitra (friend) Shriman Naveen Patnaik ji. It’s a remarkable day in the journey of development in Odisha,” Modi said, while inaugurating the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur from where he launched projects worth Rs 68,000 crore for the state.
In response, Naveen praised Modi for India’s economic progress.“Honourable PM has set a new direction for India. We are on the path to become an economic powerhouse,” he said.
Later, at a public meeting in Sambalpur, Modi refrained from targeting Naveen or BJD and highlighted achievements and schemes of Centre, benefiting various sections of society in Odisha over the past decade.
Despite the aggressive approach of state BJP leaders towards Naveen, the central leadership has maintained a softer stand.
The political dynamics gained significance due to Naveen’s support for Modi govt on contentious legislationx, presidential elections, policies, and his high rating (8 out of 10) of PM’s performance. This led to speculation about a potential BJD-BJP alliance in Odisha, reminiscent of their coalition govt from 2000 to 2009.
Meanwhile, Congress Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar said, “We solemnised a marriage between BJD and BJP. Modi’s silence on Naveen and BJD proved that they are no longer rivals.”
