Amid the escalated street fight between BJD and BJP workers in Odisha, chief minister Naveen Patnaik meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Though Patnaik termed it a courtesy visit, analysts try to figure out reasons behind the unscheduled meeting.
Panic reaction
It might be his panic reaction in the wake of rising BJP’s rising hostility towards his government, an analyst says .
Remember, the saffron party men attacked the residence of CM’s trusted IAS officer V K Pandian’s residence recently.
The BJP has justified the attack accusing Pandian of meddling in party politics.
Confusing tactic
The regional satrap might be trying to confuse the BJP cadres and its prospective voters at a time when the BJP is positioning itself as the main rival to Naveen, who is in power in Odisha for past 18 years in a row.
Remember, BJP shared power with BJD from two terms from 2000 to 2009. For long fight between the two estranged allies were dubbed mock-drill.
Bijepur bypoll ploy
The perception that they are fighting really started gaining ground after sustained criticism of Naveen by Union minister and BJP’s tallest leader in Odisha, Dharmendra Pradhan, over the past three years.
By confusing the people again, Naveen might be hoping to easily sail through the ensuing Bijepur bypoll on February 24.
Some also feel Naveen may also be genuinely trying to keep future alliance with BJP option in case he feels strong erosion of BJD base.