The Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday visited Parliament and met his party’s members in the lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, raising many eyebrows. He held discussion with the party leaders at the party office in the Parliament.Sources said, Patnaik asked the party members to raise State issues like allocation of more funds for the railway sector, coal block allocation and communication facility in the Maoist-affected areas.
“I held discussion with the party leaders and advised them to raise issues relating to the State’s development,” said Patnaik. Patnaik also visited the Central Hall where he talked to many central and regional party leaders. He also interacted with JDU president Sharad Yadav.
The visit of Patnaik to the Parliament assumes significance while a merger of parties belonging to the “Janata Parivar” appears to be on the cards. Patnaik visited the Parliament after 14 years since he became the Chief Minister in 2000. He was a member of the lok Sabha and Union Steel and Mines Minister from 1998 to 2000.