Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has stated that the formation of a Third Front is not in the cards at this moment. After his meetings, Patnaik reaffirmed the BJDs strategy of keeping an equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress, a position that is expected to be maintained till the 2024 general and Assembly elections.BJD: A trump card both BJP and its opposition seekingHe pointed out that his party plans to compete in the elections on its own, without any national aspirations. Patnaik, a popular figure among Odisha voters, has been the states chief minister since March 2000 and is still being contacted by opposition politicians looking for a coalition against the Narendra Modi government. The BJD remains a key role in the political landscape, with 12 MPs in the Lok Sabha and eight in the Rajya Sabha.Naveen Patnaik with Nitish Kumar (Image: Twitter)Meetings with different leadersBefore meeting with Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee paid a visit to Naveen Patnaiks house in March. Patnaik dismissed reports about prospective political alliances following these discussions. Patnaik addressed different issues related to Odishas demands during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi. One of the major issues discussed was the extension of the Shri Jagannath International Airport in Puri, which is needed due to increased traffic in Bhubaneswar. Patnaik expressed confidence that the Prime Minister would support him in addressing these problems.#WATCH | Delhi: There is no possibility of a Third front as far as I am concerned: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik after his meeting with PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/dRr1fxsiYm— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2023Naveen Patnaiks political career and relation with BJPNaveen Patnaik entered politics in 1997, following his father, former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. On December 26, the same year, he founded the BJD and initially made an alliance with the BJP. In March 2000, the BJD-BJP combine took power in Odisha. However, nine years later, ahead of the 2009 general and Assembly elections, Patnaik cut connections with the BJP and adopted a policy of maintaining equal distance from both the BJP and the Congress. Since then, the BJD has maintained cordial relations with every party in power in the Central government. Patnaik, who has a close relationship with the Prime Minister, has backed the Narendra Modi government on major issues such as contentious legislation, presidential elections, demonetization, surgical strikes, and even the repeal of Article 370.Despite the BJPs lack of numbers, the BJD supported bureaucrat-turned-politician Ashwini Vaishnaws Rajya Sabha bid in June 2019. As the BJP takes over Congress as the principal opposition party in Odisha, the meeting between Patnaik and the Prime Minister is of enormous political importance. Manmohan Samal, an experienced politician with an RSS background, was recently appointed as the BJPs state unit president. Furthermore, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a prominent face of the BJP in Odisha, has been outspoken in his criticism of the BJD government on a variety of topics, including law and order. Despite the meeting between Patnaik and Modi, a senior BJP leader in Odisha stated that the party will continue its efforts to topple the BJD government.
