This story is from April 25, 2017

Naveen visits Vajpayee in Delhi

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday met former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the latter's residence in New Delhi.
Naveen visits Vajpayee in Delhi
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday met former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the latter's residence in New Delhi.
BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday met former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the latter's residence in New Delhi.
Though Naveen termed it as a courtesy visit, political analysts were confused as to what end this meeting would serve. The BJP has announced that it would make an all-out and serious attempt to oust Naveen in 2019.
"It was just a courtesy call on Vajpayee ji to inquire about his health.
The visit has no political significance. Odisha can never forget Atal ji," Naveen told reporters after meeting the former PM.
A statement issued by the state government said Naveen wished Vajpayee a long and healthy life. Naveen was a minister in Vajpayee's cabinet. Naveen recalled his earlier days of long association with the former PM and conveyed to his family members that the people of Odisha always remember him fondly. He conveyed best wishes of people of Odisha for his long and healthy life, the statement said.
Sources said Naveen spent about 15 minutes with the ailing former PM. Naveen's sudden plan to meet Vajpayee, which was not in his itinerary during his ongoing five days tour to Delhi, carries a strong political message. "Naveen who is often accused of being a recluse and inaccessible has of late made several uncharacteristic gestures to shed this image. Meeting Vajpayee when the BJP has declared war can't be dismissed as a matter of routine," said a BJD leader.

From his early political life Naveen enjoyed cordial relations with the BJP leadership during the Vajpayee-Advani era.
Though Naveen's BJD has supported almost all political initiatives of the current regime, from demonetization to GST, Naveen doesn't have direct access to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah who call the shots now.
Of late, the BJP has upped its ante against the regional satrap. The recent national executive of the BJP in Bhubaneswar and fierce criticism of Naveen by Shah at the meeting was interpreted by many in BJD as an attempt to destabilise the Naveen government.
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