Naveen Patnaik to meet Narendra Modi in Delhi

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday left for a week-long visit to New Delhi during which he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union ministers.

“I have asked for appointments from the Prime Minister and new central ministers regarding Odisha affairs,” Naveen told mediapersons before leaving for the national capital.

This is Naveen’s first trip to the national capital after taking charge as the Chief Minister for the fourth consecutive term.

Besides, he is also scheduled to attend the BJD Parliamentary Party meeting at New Delhi and meet leaders of other political parties during his stay.

Official sources said though Naveen’s itinerary is yet to be finalized, he is expected to get a date with Modi next week.

During his meeting with Modi, Naveen (who skipped Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on May 26) is expected to reiterate the Odisha government’s opposition to the Centre establishing the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) for executing the multi-purpose project on Godavari.

On May 4 in the run-up to elections, Naveen had flayed Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for supporting Polavaram and accused the two of working against Odisha’s interests.

The state government, for the uninitiated, has moved the Supreme Court against construction of Polavaram and requested for lowering of the dam’s height to prevent submergence of areas in Malkangiri.