Ahead of Land Acquisition Bill and GST, Naveen Patnaik discusses strategy with MPs

NEW DELHI: Ahead of two crucial bills, the Land Acquisition Bill and the GST Bill, slated to be taken up for consideration soon, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik held a meeting with party MPs here today to finalise the party's strategy.

BJD has 28 MPs - 20 in Lok Sabha and 8 in Rajya Sabha. The hour-long meeting took place at the party's office inside Parliament building, but Patnaik refused to divulge details, saying they will make their stand clear on the floor of the House.

Talking to reporters, he said, "I had a discussion with the BJD MPs from Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha about the follow-up of the schedule for Odisha's requirements from the Prime Minister and various Union ministers."

While BJD had supported the GST bill in Lok Sabha, party sources said their support to both the bills in Parliament would be based on certain conditions.

They said the party is in favour of the affected farmers being made a stakeholder in projects under the Land Bill.

The meeting today was attended by about 22 party MPs, who were also given a compilation of letters written by the CM to the Centre over the years highlighting the state's demand.

The meeting also decided the party's strategy of putting forth the state's demand more effectively before the Centre and ways to coordinate with various ministries in this regard.

Patnaik will meet Health Minister JP Nadda tomorrow. Earlier in the day, Patnaik visited the Central Hall of Parliament and met Parliamentarians from various political parties.

Asked about the performance of the Narendra Modi government which would complete one year in office, he said "its still early" to make a comment.