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Bhubaneswar: Odisha CM and BJD president Naveen Patnaik not only downplayed the BJP victory juggernaut threat but also rubbished the saffron party’s claims that the he is not in charge and the government in Odisha is adrift.
“I think that’s ridiculous. I am as much in charge as I always was,” retorted Naveen, who, otherwise reclusive, made a surprising appearance on national news channel NDTV.
“I don’t think its (Narendra Modi- Amit Shah Election machine) going to have any effect in Odisha. I don’t think BJP’s performance was dramatic in the local body polls. It won 1/3rd share while we won 2/3rd,”said Naveen.
On being asked about his own party MP Baijayant Panda’s remark that key leaders of BJD who struggled for the party are being sidelined and that it’s the time for the party to introspect and bureaucrats are running the government, Naveen said “I think that it’s completely incorrect. It’s quite baseless in fact.”
Also Read: Serve people with all humility: CM Naveen at BJD Foundation Day
Being his usual curt in replying to questions, Naveen said that he ‘truly’ had no idea of what Panda meant when he said that other parties are growing because of their dynamic leadership.
Naveen said there is no fear that other parties like BJP are trying to woo BJD leaders.
Commenting on the prospects of forging an alliance for 2019 elections, Naveen said that we should fight on our own and we remain equidistant from the BJP and the Congress.
On the idea of a non-BJP front – coming together of regional parties, Naveen said it will be looked into after the results.
Naveen also struck down any thought of considering himself as a potential presidential candidate saying “I am very content being here in Odisha and working for its development.”
Asked to rate Narendra Modi as a prime minister, Naveen said “Let us see, there’s still time to see what happens.”
https://youtu.be/m7y6l1lw1Tw
