Bhubaneswar: July 3rd witnessed an unforeseen and unanticipated side of Naveen when he, for the first time in his 19-year rule, was seen sharing tips with newly-elected representatives to be pro-people leaders.
While some feel it's an emulation of Modi, the 'Breakfast Tips' of CM Naveen to the first time MLAs of the party has put many in a state of ambiguity who feel that it could be an initiative towards setting the platform right for BJD's successor. Naveen reportedly had breakfast with the MLAs in presence of some experienced leaders of the party today and shared the mantra of developing relationships with people and the electorate. He reportedly shared tips on the do's and don'ts that need to be followed by the party legislators.
There's no report of CM Naveen telling anything related to his successor in the meeting. However, many see the makeover as a sign of roping in Arun Patnaik, the CM's nephew, to the helm of the party. Though Naveen was seen as someone against dynastic politics (in his earlier clarification on successor), BJD leaders feel that people of Odisha may not accept someone outside of the Patnaik family and so they want the inclusion of Arun Patnaik in the party at any cost.
To be candid, the BJD leaders are seemingly playing it safe for now on the matter of succession as they believe that the party will face a major setback if Naveen quits politics without placing Arun as party chief.
Naveen babu seems to have changed his mode of work. He used to have fewer interactions with party leaders, but it seems, now, he is going PM Modi's way of interacting with party MLAs, workers and holding meetings. It can't be denied that the BJD has started its work towards setting the stage for a new face and at the same time regaining the trust of people that has dwindled, said a political analyst.