For now, no worries about the presidential election, stand up for the welfare of Orissa, said R.

Orissa Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik, who is currently on a three-day visit to New Delhi, said on Tuesday that the party had no thoughts on the presidential election at the moment. “There is still time for the presidential election … so no worries for the moment,” he said.

When asked about the letter from West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee to opposition leaders and chief ministers of non-BJP-ruled states to form an anti-BJP front, Patnaik said he had not yet received any such letter. “We stand for the development and welfare of our state. This is for our party, “he added.

Patnaik urged BJD MPs to put the interests of the state first. Taking part in the BJD parliamentary party meeting, Patnaik asked the party MPs to raise issues related to Orissa’s interests in both the houses of parliament.

Patnaik has plans to discuss state-related issues with Union ministers in various departments, such as lifting of leftover rice from Orissa by the Center, housing under the housing scheme, increasing the state’s share in coal royalties, and central assistance for construction. Other problems include disaster resilience. In addition, payment of arrears, provision of telephone service in remote areas and opening of banks in panchayats without any branch are also likely to be discussed.