Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: Questioning BJD’s support to BJP nominee Ram Nath Kovind for President, the party MP Bhartruhari Mahatab on Sunday said Naveen Patnaik should have waited till UPA's declaration of its candidate.

In his editorial 'President Election- Dalit vs Dalit', Mahatab once again rattled the BJD and expressed displeasure over the party's decision to support Kovind.

"At a time when BJD is maintaining safe distance from both NDA and UPA, the party should not have announced support to Kovind in haste," said Mahatab.

Mahatab mentioned in the write-up that the decision to support Kovind was made over a single phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the CM. "Why didn't Naveen wait till the announcement of UPA's candidate?" questioned Mahatab.

Taking a jibe at the party's decision, the MP further mentioned that not every question carries answer and some questions should be left unanswered.

However, BJD MP Nagendra Pradhan said whatever Mahatab has mentioned in his editorial column is something he has written from the people’s point of view. "The party president's decision to support Kovind came only after a discussion with senior leaders; and the CM had earlier mentioned about the same," said Pradhan.

Also Read: BJD wrangles over Mahtab’s second column in media

Meanwhile, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Surya Narayan Patro said, "I can't say what Mahatab is trying to point out through his column. The CM had talked to the PM over the issue and instead of raising the issue on public forum, he should have talked with Naveen Babu."

Mahatab has been in the eye of many storms for his writings in the last couple of months. While he eulogized the BJP led government when BJD was celebrating its third year in the fourth consecutive term rule in the state in one, another criticised party leaders Damodar Rout and Surya Narayan Patro citing imminent cracks within the party.

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