Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The four-day trip to Delhi by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik has stoked rumors of important talks before the September 9 vice presidential poll. The visit of Patnaik has attracted a lot of interest. The main purpose of Patnaik’s trip to Delhi is to confer with Rajya Sabha members of the BJD on the next vice presidential election. Some speculate that the BJD may back the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate, although the party’s position on the race is still unclear.
Although the BJD has not acknowledged it, there are rumors that Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi may meet. With seven members in the Rajya Sabha, the BJD’s choice in the vice presidential election might have a big effect on the result.
