NEW DELHI: BJD chief Naveen Patnaik , now eyeing an unprecedented fifth consecutive term as chief minister, displayed his trademark subtle but unemotional sense of politics when he bemused foes and foxed party colleagues by unhesitatingly backing NDA’s Harivansh for deputy chair of Rajya Sabha.

The decision surprised some BJD leaders who felt that with saffron rising in Odisha, Naveen “babu” should have opposed the NDA candidate even if he was from Janata Dal (U) and not BJP. Others felt he might see Congress as a real threat and still others speculated on hidden deals and levers at work. As fate would have it BJD’s nine Rajya Sabha MPs were the fulcrum on which the crucial election, a trial of strength for the Modi government and its “secular” opponents, was to turn. The Odisha CM used his leverage fully, making shrewd political calculations, to work out the best available deal.

Unswayed by the appeals by UPA leaders, he made an unconventional choice in doing business with BJP that has emerged as his chief challenger. The reason, say political sources, was a recognition that supporting Congress nominee BK Hariprasad would allow BJP to claim that the two parties are actually a tag team and present itself as the only credible alternative. It might have humbled BJP in Delhi, but worked differently in Odisha.

It serves BJD that Congress remains a third force, dividing votes to its benefit. Congress’s decline, outlined by panchayat and zila parishad polls in 2017, worries BJD that hopes its 40% plus vote share will see it through LS and assembly polls. There is another aspect to the Rajya Sabha vote too: With BJP bosses reaching out to him, Patnaik can expect some relief from vociferous attacks on him from state leaders.

Patnaik had the option of putting up a party nominee, a certain win as both Congress and BJP made such an offer. He did not rise to the bait, keeping in mind that national elections were about eight months away and there was not much profit in aligning very closely with either side. Also, the post in itself did not hold the lure to make it a prize worth shedding BJD’s “strategic non-alignment.”

The CM has a fairly keen assessment of the leaders in the federal front and UPA jostling for space on the national stage. He does not see the past united front experiment with much favour and is understood to prefer maintaining a neutral distance. Though Congress is a weakened force, BJD’s cadre is uncomfortable at any truck, having been born in opposition to it.

Naveen is focused on his state and is wary of a tie-up with Congress. The JD(U) option in Harivansh provided the distance he sought from BJP. With limited stakes in “Delhi politics”, Odisha is Patnaik’s fort.

