Rashmi Ranjan

A day after meeting his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik went on a three-day tour to New Delhi on Wednesday. Patnaik is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday afternoon.

The meeting between the two leaders has triggered speculations in the political corridor as their meeting ahead of the 2024 elections holds significance. 

Sources close to the development said, the duo may hold discussions on important issues like Awas Yojna, railways and highways during their meeting today. 

Though the chief minister's office (CMO) said that Patnaik has a number of official engagements, including meetings with Union ministers, during his visit to the national capital, speculations are also rife that the BJD supremo may meet some opposition leaders who are already in touch with Kumar and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on forming an opposition group ahead of the 2024 elections.

Patnaik is scheduled to return to Odisha on May 13.

It is worthwhile to mention here that, the BJD claims that it maintains equal distance from both the NDA and UPA. However, it has often supported the BJP on various issues and bills in Parliament.

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