Chief Minister Mr Naveen Patnaik air dashed to Delhi on Saturday to meet former PM Mr A B Vajpayee and BJP chief Mr LK Advani to impress upon the latter that the State unit of the BJP and its senior leaders were acting “against” the State’s interests by trying to scuttle his dream Posco project

Orissa State BJP leaders have been throwing tantrums against the chief minister for extending favors to POSCO in terms of unlimited mining rights and the license to export iron ore from Orissa in exchange for Brazilian ore.

State BJP Chief Mr Oram kicked off a controversy by sending a list of queries to CM on the proposed Posco project a day before the Monsoon session began. Soon after the session ended, Mr Oram kicked off a fresh row by sending another set of queries to the chief minister stating that there were still certain “controversial” and “sensitive” issues pertaining to the Posco project which were needed to be resolved before the company was allowed mining rights. It may also be mentioned here that the State BJP unit, in its website, had also raised several questions on the said project.

Mr Naveen’s proposed meeting with Mr Vajpayee and Mr Advani is considered as a last attempt to tide over the crisis within the alliance over the project.