VP Election: BJD to support NDA's Jagdeep Dhankar, PM Modi holds talks with CM Naveen

The Biju Janata Dal from Odisha will support NDA's pick, Jagdeep Dhankar for the post of Vice President in the upcoming election. The state's ruling party made an announcement in this regard on Sunday.

As per the decision, all MPs of the BJD have been asked to remain present to extend support during the filing of nomination by Dhankar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also held a discussion with Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik seeking his support to Dhankar.

According to sources, PM Modi has requested Naveen to extend support to Dhankar's candidature as the Vice President of India.

A lawyer by profession, Dhankar was appointed Governor of West Bengal in July 2019 and has since had a tumultuous relationship with Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government. 

On Sunday, the Opposition declared Margaret Alva, former Rajasthan Governor, as the candidate for the post of Vice-President.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar made the announcement after an Opposition meeting today cleared Alva, the former Union Minister's name to contest for the election.

Earlier, the BJD had extended unanimous support to NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu in the Presidential election. A

The former Jharkhand Governor 64-year-old Murmu was twice elected as a BJP MLA from Odisha, and served as a minister in the Naveen Patnaik cabinet during the BJD-BJP coalition. `