By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Once Droupadi Murmu had tied rakhi on hands of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, it’s now time for pay back. With Chief Minister Patnaik taking lead for NDA presidential candidate, Droupadi Murmu on Friday took her lunch at Naveen Niwas here and lauded the BJD Supremo for his courteousness.
Meanwhile, ‘The Daughter of Odisha’ slogan raised by Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik to gather support for NDA presidential candidate, Droupadi Murmu seems fetching dividends with apart from BJD, BJP, Independent and , if sources are to be believed, some Congress MLA may revolt and defy whip of High Command to favour Murmu.
The way Chief Minister Patnaik taking lead, by deputing his close aids to continue talks with Congress and others, the situation may take final shape in next few days.
Independent MLAs like Ganjam’s Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi, Independent MLA Makaranda Muduli from Rayagada have already given their consent to vote for Murmu while CM Patnaik keeping his mission open for Congress MLAs while playing ‘Daughter of Odisha’ card.
Murmu herself was set aback when she was received by Chief Minister Patnaik and BJD Ministers, MPs and MLAs. The noble gesture to Murmu by Chief Minister Patnaik, has been highly appreciated in many forums.
CM Patnaik on Friday took the lead and ensured that all BJD Ministers, MPs and MLAs must present during the meeting with NDA presidential candidate and daughter of Odisha, Murmu, who arrived in State Capital for campaigning.
Chief Minister Patnaik along with BJD Ministers, MPs and MLAs met Murmu and assured their support to her candidature for the Raisina Hills.
Earlier, Odisha-born Murmu received a rousing welcome at Biju Patnaik International Airport from BJP workers on arrival here for campaigning ahead of the Presidential poll, scheduled to be held on July 18. The 65-year-old has also served as the first woman Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021.
Meanwhile, the way, Chief Minister Patnaik working overtimes to gather support for Murmu in the State and as well as National level, has put the State BJP in back foot. With women and tribal now in prime focus of BJD, CM Patnaik never missing any stone unturned on his part to ensure Murmu’s victoy against joint opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha.
