BJD Will Maintain Equidistance From BJP, Congress: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on Friday made it clear that his party will maintain equal distance from the BJP and Congress.

Briefing mediapersons soon after his arrival in Bhubaneswar from New Delhi, he said there was no discussion of politics during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Odisha Congress leader Narasingh Mishra during his stay in the national capital.

“I had met the Prime Minister and given him a book “The Tall Man Biju Patnaik” while my meeting with Narasingh Mishra was purely informal,” he pointed out.

To a question on whether his party will join the national politics, Patnaik said BJD will concentrate on the development of Odisha.

Asked about the allegations made by the Nagaland BJP against Odisha Governor SC Jamir for campaigning in favour of the Congress-NPF alliance, the Chief Minister said he has no information on this.

Replying to a question on Kunduli suicide case, he said the state government always wants a free and fair investigation. “The state government has moved the Odisha High Court for a court-monitored probe by the Special Investigation Team. I want justice at the earliest possible time in the most transparent manner,” he added.

The Chief Minister thanked the electronic and print media for excellent coverage of a special function on the Men’s World Cup Hockey in New Delhi.

“The function of Hockey India yesterday in New Delhi for the promotion of Men’s World Cup Hockey 2018 was indeed a momentous occasion,” he observed.

The mega event would begin at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from November 18.