BJD chief requests MPs, MLAs to vote for Kovind

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on Friday requested MPs and MLAs of the party to support NDA’s Presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind and vote for him.
During a meeting with Kovind at the state assembly, the chief minister said the party had already announced that it would extend full support to Kovind. He ruled out possibilities of cross voting by any of his party leaders.
Kovind also held discussion with BJD legislators and MPs and expressed gratefulness for full-fledged support of the BJD.

Kovind, accompanied by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, later had lunch with Naveen at his residence.
He also met the saffron party’s MLAs at BJP legislature party leader KV Singhdeo’s residence and discussed various issues, including development of tribals in the state.
Earlier in the day, Kovind was extended a warm welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport by BJD leaders Maheswar Mohanty, Sashibhusan Behera, Baijayant PandaSurya Natayan Patro and Debi Prasad Mishra.
Several BJP leaders. including Jual Oram and Basant Panda, too accorded a grand reception to the Presidential candidate at city airport.