Modi Praises Naveen: Eye On Post-Poll Pact?

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday showered words of praise for Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s handling of Cyclone Fani.

Standing next to him after conducting an aerial survey, the Prime Minister said to reporters “Naveen babu’s planning was excellent” and “In the middle of a busy election schedule, everyone concerned prioritized this (Cyclone)… I must congratulate the state government, the authorities and those involved in evacuations. The work done is commendable. There has been an excellent coordination between the Centre and the state,” he added.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the cooperation by the people and said “Generally if you tell people to leave their homes, they are reluctant, but this time the people of Odisha have shown the entire country how to act during an emergency such as a cyclone.”

The praise comes as a bit of a surprise as Narendra Modi and his party have repeatedly attacked Naveen Patnaik in the ongoing election campaigns. However, voting in Odisha is almost over, save for a re-election. Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) may extend support if the BJP needs it at the centre.

Modi’s statements holds lot of political significance considering that most surveys show a decline in BJP’s numbers raising the possibility of the saffron party seeking new alliances. The BJD was part of BJP-led NDA till 2009, when it severed ties in the wake of ethno-communal riots in Kandhamal. Ever since, the regional party has been pursuing a policy of equidistance from the BJP and the Congress. However, Naveen’s recent statement during an interview that his party was open to all possibilities keeping the best interests of Odisha in mind has fuelled speculation that the BJD boss was toying with the idea of aligning with a national coalition keeping in view possible political exigencies.

Around 12 lakh people were successfully evacuated prior to the cyclone hitting the Odisha coast. 5000 shelter homes were also built up in a very short time. The United Nations body for disaster management has also praised the government for “zero-casualty cyclone preparedness policy” and the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s “almost pinpoint accuracy of the early warnings”.

The centre has provided Rs 1000 crore fund to Odisha, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.

The category 4 cyclone which hit Odisha coast on Friday morning has left a trail of destruction in Puri, Khurda and Cuttack districts primarily. An estimated 10000 workers are required to rebuild Puri, the worst affected place. The capital city too is still without electricity and water.

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Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday showered words of praise on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s handling of Cyclone Fani.

Standing next to him after conducting an aerial survey, the Prime Minister told reporters, “Naveen babu’s planning was excellent.” “In the middle of a busy election schedule, everyone concerned prioritized this (cyclone)… I must congratulate the state government, the authorities and those involved in evacuations. The work done is commendable. There has been an excellent coordination between the Centre and the state,” he added.

Modi also appreciated the cooperation extended by the people and said, “Generally if you tell people to leave their homes, they are reluctant. But this time the people of Odisha have shown the entire country how to act during an emergency such as a cyclone.”

The praise comes as a bit of a surprise as Modi and his party (BJP) had repeatedly slammed Naveen during the election campaigns for the four phased simultaneous polls, voting for which ended in Odisha on May 27. Only voting for Patkura assembly constituency has been postponed due to death of BJD candidate Bed Prakash Agarwal. Modi’s appreciation of Naveen in public could be well-callibrated and possibly intended at wooing the latter with an eye on his party’s support post polls in case of a fractured mandate.

Going the state government, around 12 lakh people were evacuated prior to the cyclone hitting the Odisha coast. They took shelter in an estimated 5000 buildings. Agencies of the United Nations have also patted the state government for its “zero-casualty cyclone preparedness policy” and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)’s “almost pinpoint accuracy of the early warnings”.

After an initial aid of Rs 341 crore, Modi has announced Rs 1000 crore assistance to Odisha for cyclone relief, rehabilitation and restoration works.

The category 4 cyclone, which hit Odisha coast on Friday morning, has left a trail of destruction primarily in Puri, Khurda and Cuttack districts. An estimated 10000 workers are required to rebuild Puri, the worst-affected region. Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar is still without electricity and citizens are struggling for water.