Bhubaneswar: CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday called for opposition-unity to fight the Narendra Modi led BJP government at the centre. Yechury, who is on a two-day visit to the State, is scheduled to meet Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday to seek BJD's support for the upcoming president poll.
Addressing media persons, Yechury said it's a fight between the Indian nationalism and Hindutva nationalism. "I will meet Naveen Patnaik tomorrow and also express our desire that in this situation we think all secular democratic forces in the country must come together."
"BJD is a secular party and I'm sure the chief minister will respond positively in the interest of the country," he stated.
CM Naveen, however, said Yechury has not spoken to him yet.
As the countdown to the battle for Raisina Hill has begun, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee have recently met Patnaik in Bhubaneswar. Though it is not clearly known the topic of their discussion, political pundits believe that it must be on the ensuing presidential election.
President Pranab Mukherjee's term ends in July.