Odisha’s BJD Announces Support To NDA’s Vice-President Candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar

Bhubaneswar: The ruling BJD in Odisha has announced its support to NDA’s Vice-President candidate  Jagdeep Dhankhar.

According to BJD sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik over phone seeking support of the regional party for Dhankhar.

Naveen has extended his party’s support to the West Bengal Governor. The BJD MPs will remain present during the filing of nomination by Dhankhar, the sources said.

According to the election schedule, the last date of filing nominations for the Vice-President post is July 19 and the elections will be held on August 6. Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu’s term ends on August 10.

While announcing the name of Dhankhar as its candidate, BJP’s national president JP Nadda said he is a “kisan putra” (son of a farmer) who established himself as “people’s governor”.

The Opposition has nominated Congress leader and former Governor Margaret Alva as its joint candidate for Vice-President’s post. Announcing Alva’s name, NCP president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said 17 parties are on board with this unanimous decision.