There now seems to be a pattern to it that is beginning to look familiar. The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) support for the Inter-State River Water Disputes Bill, 2019 that was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday comes as no surprise to political observers who have been watching the growing closeness between Patnaik and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi eversince the results of the last Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state were announced.
In fact, Modi had begun courting Patnaik, who has become the chief minister of Odisha for the fifth time in a row, even before the results became known. After undertaking an aerial survey of the areas hit by cyclone Fani in the state in the first week of May he had praised the chief minister for the massive evacuation drive carried out by his government before the gale struck the coast. He had also announced an additional assistance of Rs.1000 crore for relief work.
The goodwill generated by the move was carried forward when the two leaders met in Delhi after the announcement of election results. Apart from seeking generous assistance from the Centre for the post-cyclone reconstruction work Patnaik is believed to have discussed with the Prime Minister Odisha’s outstanding demands like the grant of special category status to the state.