BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday made it clear the BJD will fight the 2024 Lok Sabha and state assembly elections on its own and won’t join any political front, thereby distancing himself from attempts by regional leaders such as Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee to unite the opposition against the BJP.
Responding to media queries after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, Naveen said there is no possibility of new political front involving him. “No, not as far as I am concerned. Not now,” Naveen said on possibility of a third front.
On whether BJD will fight 2024 elections alone, Naveen said, “That has always been our principle.” The Odisha CM also said he would not meet any other political leader during his current four-day trip to the national capital, which started on Wednesday.
Amid speculation regarding timing of Naveen-Modi meeting, especially since Bihar CM Nitish Kumar came to Naveen’s house in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday eying opposition unity, the regional satrap said there was no political discussion with the PM. On Nitish’s visit to him, Naveen said “That was a courtesy call, he (Nitish) paid to me,” Naveen said on Thursday.
Naveen said the main discussion during his meeting with the PM was regarding the proposed Sri Jagannath International Airport at Puri. The PM assured to extend whatever help is possible from the Centre, Naveen said, adding boundary for the proposed airport has already been earmarked, which is needed in view of the rising air traffic in Bhubaneswar.