Naveen to meet PM today, prez poll may be on agenda

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s office at 4.30 pm on Monday. The meeting assumes significance in the backdrop of the presidential election, scheduled in July, while various issues pertaining to the state’s interest may also be discussed.
The role of the BJD will be crucial during the presidential poll going by the party’s numbers in the assembly and both the houses of Parliament. The BJD has 12 members in Lok Sabha, nine in Rajya Sabha and 113 MLAs in the 146-member assembly.
Naveen, who keeps the cards close to his chest, had earlier stated that his party’s support in the presidential election would be based on the selection of candidate.
In the 2017 president poll, Naveen had extended his support to NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind after receiving a call from Prime Minister Modi. Despite facing criticism of tilting towards the BJP, Naveen, while announcing his support, had maintained that the office of the President of India is above political consideration and the BJD wanted to keep it that way.
In 2012, Naveen was the first to propose the name of PA Sangma against UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee.
Political observers felt a significant development regarding the presidential election could be expected after the chief minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister, while they also predicted that Naveen is unlikely to side with the opposition parties.
In the past, the BJD had extended support to the Centre during the passage of important legislations in Parliament as well as those like demonitisation.
Official sources in the chief minister’s office said Naveen will leave for the national capital on Monday and return to the city on June 1. On Tuesday, Naveen may hold meting with senior officials of the state government to discuss pending issues with the Centre.