Difficult to support Congress candidate, says Patnaik

In remarks pointing to the possibility of a contest for presidential elections, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has said it will be difficult for him to support a Congress candidate.

In remarks pointing to the possibility of a contest for presidential elections, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has said it will be difficult for him to support a Congress candidate.

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Speaking to Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate programme on CNN-IBN news channel, Patnaik said he would hold consultations with leaders of parties such as AIADMK and Samajwadi Party on the presidential elections.

“I would say that it's possible. It seems more than likely that we will hold consultations,” Patnaik said.

Asked if he could back a Congress candidate, Patnaik said it was difficult.

“Consultation is required within the party. I think personally... it is difficult," he said.

Patnaik was among the chief ministers who had opposed the centre's move on setting up the anti-terror intelligence hub National Counter Terrorism Centre.

Names of Vice President Hamid Ansari and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee are doing the rounds as probable Congress candidates for the presidential polls.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj had said that her party will not support a Congress candidate.