BHUBANESWAR: Ruling BJD has asked its legislators and MPs to remain present in the State Assembly on Friday for a meeting with the NDA’s Presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind.
According to BJD spokesperson Sameer Das, Kovind will meet the BJD lawmakers at 11 am in the Assembly. Besides Kovind, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will address the lawmakers. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda will also be present. Nadda will accompany Kovind to Bhubaneswar.
Kovind is also scheduled to meet BJP legislators at around 2 pm at legislature party leader KV Singh Deo’s house in Bhubaneswar. Kovind will have lunch with the Chief Minister at Naveen Nivas.
Das, however, said BJD is yet to decide on its support to the Vice-Presidential candidate. The Chief Minister will take a decision on the issue after discussion with senior leaders of BJD and other political parties, he added.
Announcement of Gopal Krishna Gandhi by Opposition political parties as the VP candidate has triggered speculation over the BJD’s next move in view of his good rapport with the Chief Minister. Das, however, said friendship and politics are two different things.