Naveen Patnaik indeed seems to be in an enviable position.
While the BJP national leadership is owing Patnaik’s support for formation of an NDA Government at the Centre, the UPA is also trying to gain the BJD supremo’s help in its bid to form a Union Government after the election results are declared on May 23.
Congress leader and former UPA president Sonia Gandhi has invited Patnaik and other non-NDA leaders to a meeting to be held in New Delhi on May 23, the day set for counting of votes.
The meeting is aimed at uniting all anti-NDA leaders in order to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi from power. Apprehending that no alliance would get an absolute majority to form a Government at the Centre, the UPA has convened the meeting to seek all opposition leaders’ support in its favour.
Sonia Gandhi has reportedly invited leaders of BJD, TDP, YSR Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samiti to the meeting. Naveen Patnaik’s response to the move is yet to be known.