Samikhsya Bureau
As there seems to be uncertainty about any political formation getting a clear majority after the results for Lok Sabha polls are announced on May 23, which national leader may replace Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the biggest question asked in political circles.
While the names of many leaders are being discussed, Biju Janata Dal vice president and minister Surya Narayan Patro has backed Odisha chief minister’s name for the top job.
“Patnaik is eligible to be the Prime Minister of India,” Patro told reporters in Bhubaneswar on Friday. “The people of Odisha and India would like Patnaik to be the prime minister.
Patro however added that no one should be the prime minister with the support of the Congress, which often backed a person to pull the rug under his feet later. He said that the BJD, which had so far maintained equidistance from both National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP and United Progressive Alliance led by the Congress, would back any political formation that protected the interests of Odisha.
Patro said that on an earlier occasion, the name of former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik (Naveen Patnaik’s father) was also being considered seriously for the post of prime minister.
Patro’s statement assumes significance at a time when UPA chairperson has invited all non-NDA parties including the BJD for a meeting on May 23, the day the results will be announced. On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Odisha on May 6, three days after it was ravaged by Cyclone Fani, and appreciated chief minister Patnaik’s efforts for rescue, relief and restoration.
As both NDA and UPA are trying hard to form the government with the backing of regional parties, leaders of both the alliances are courting Patnaik, who will have a sizable number of MPs, though he may not repeat the performance of 2014 elections.
Earlier while campaigning for the BJD, Patnaik too hinted at his national role after the elections. In an interview with a national news channel, Patnaik had emphatically said that Modi did not deserve a second chance.
So will he be a king, as Patro suggests, or a kingmaker?
