Naveen to skip Nitish swearing-in

BHUBANESWAR: Contrary to expectations in certain quarters, chief minister Naveen Patnaik is unlikely to attend Nitish Kumar's swearing-in ceremony scheduled in Patna on November 20.
Naveen, sources at the CM's office here said, is also not keen to send any representative to Nihar when the JD(U), RJD and Congress coalition government assumes office in Bihar.
"The chief minister has sent his greetings to his Bihar counterpart, Nitish Kumar, both after the election results were declared on November 8 and the subsequent communication to attend the swearing-in ceremony," said a senior functionary at the CM's office as he ruled out Naveen personally going to Patna.
BJD leaders in line with party's official position attributed Naveen's decision to maintaining a distinct identity for the regional outfit without being seen close to either the BJP or Congress camps.
But if talks in the political circles are any indication, Naveen has many compulsions for which he wants to avoid to be seen in the company of leaders, who have suddenly discovered Nitish Kumar as a rallying point to take on Narendra Modi.
"In the assembly elections, a host of ground realities determine the final outcome. The BJP's crushing defeat may have emboldened certain parties or leaders, but each state has its own voter dynamics. It is too early to jump into any conclusion," said a senior BJD leader.
The BJD, which owes its birth to BJP in the post-Biju Patnaik political era, has long severed its ties with the saffron brigade since the 2009 general elections. The party could not disguise its glee when on November 8 results started pouring in signalling a humiliating drubbing for the BJP in Bihar.
Party insiders, however, admit it would not be politically prudent to antagonise the new government at the Centre, especially at a time when a number of BJD leaders are facing CBI probe in the mega chit fund scam.
Though the CBI for mysterious reasons has all but put a brake in the investigations for the last few months, the atmosphere of fear hanging over many leaders is too distinct to hide.
Further, many BJD leaders cite Nitish's alliance with Congress as a stumbling block for Naveen. In Odisha, Congress is not yet a force to be written off. Naveen tilting towards a Nitish-led combination with backup support from Congress would put him at great disadvantage, which he is the last person to do at least for now.
"It is chief minister's prerogative to decide whether or not to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Patna. The party has nothing to do with that," BJD spokesman Pratap Deb said.