Will not support Narendra Modi for prime ministership: Naveen Patnaik

NEW DELHI: Odisha Chief Minister and BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik today categorically stated that he will not support Narendra Modi for prime ministership after the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Patnaik also said that a lot of people were "uncomfortable" with the idea of the Gujarat Chief Minister becoming the Prime Minister of the country and he also felt the same way.

"There is no question of supporting Narendra Modi for the prime ministership. A lot of people are uncomfortable with the idea of Modi and so am I," he told IBN7 Hindi news channel.

Asked why was be uncomfortable with Modi, Patnaik told his interviewer, "you know this."

Patnaik's forthright comments on the BJP's prime ministerial candidate appeared to rule out the possibility of BJD, a former NDA constituent, reviving electoral ties with the BJP.

Asked whether he will support Rahul Gandhi for the post of prime minister, Patnaik said his party kept equal distance from the Congress and the BJP.

The Chief Minister replied in the negative when asked whether he would seek prime ministership.

"No. I am happy what I am doing in Odisha," he said.