New Delhi: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, thanking the Centre for the support rendered to the state in the aftermath of cyclone Fani, has triggered speculation in the national media about a possible post-poll tie-up between the BJP and the BJD.
Times Now maintained that Naveen’s gesture has given a breather to the BJP and the Prime Minister, as they weighed various options in the event of the BJP and its alliance partners falling short of majority to form a government.
“It (the thanks message) is a welcome message as both the parties had launched a scathing attack against each other during the campaign. It is a big relief and a breather for the PM,” the channels said as it flashed the letter again and again.
India Today, too, saw the gesture as both leaders warming up for a possible post-poll tie-up.
“With only a phase of Lok Sabha polls remaining before counting of votes begins, the letter could prove to be a shot in the arm of the NDA,” it said.
Even the Prime Minister had praised the chief minister last week after he visited the cyclone-hit state, saying “Naveen babu’s planning was excellent. It saved thousands of lives”.
In his letter, Naveen urged the Centre to sanction five lakh Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) (Grameen) special houses initially for Odisha for those affected in the cyclone-hit districts.
According to a preliminary estimate, the chief minister said, around five lakh houses have been completely or substantially damaged across 14 districts, the most happening in Puri district.
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