Can Naveen Join The NDA? Athawale Proposes But Only Naveen Can Dispose, Read What Comes Out

With Anupama Dash, D N Singh

As time ticks out and the politics in India inching closer to the 2024 mega electoral festival, serious thoughts have crept into the party war-rooms.

More importantly so, it has become a compelling reason for the NDA to tighten its belt against the adverse headwinds blowing from the opposition camps.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, more known for abandoning thrills in politics, has requested the Odisha chief minister to join the NDA for the good of both the sides.

The consequence in Bihar was a huge slip from underneath the feet of NDA, a signal at the possibility of realignment of opposition unity before 2024.  Something that the NDA think tanks can hardly lose sight of.

Union Minister and Republican Party of India President, Ramdas Athawale on Monday urged Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to consider rejoining the National Democratic Alliance for the development of Odisha, the slogan of Pm Modi- ‘the double engine government’.

Speaking to media-persons here, on Monday, Athawale said Patnaik was in NDA when he started his political career during 1997-1998.

“Now, he is in power in Odisha more than two decades with his own strength, which is good. If he joins the NDA, he would get more benefits,” said the union minister.

Give and take

“Even though Naveen ji is not in the NDA, we are getting support of his party (BJD) while passing Bills in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. If he will join the NDA, he may get more benefits. Odisha CM and ultimately people of Odisha will get more budgetary support for the development of the state,” said Athawale.

But the bigger question is, Naveen Patnaik who holds an enviable position for ruling over Odisha for more than two decades as chief of the Biju Janata Dal and the most successful chief minister, will he be ready to bite the bait?

The answer lies with the chief minister of Odisha who has built his own identity and impeccability down the years.