President poll discussions are in early stage: Naveen Patnaik

Chennai: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said discussions over the issue of the Presidential candidate are still in the early stage and there is lot more time left to take a decision.

"At the moment, we are still in discussions with MPs, MLAs and important persons, as this is a very important national decision," he told reporters when asked about his party Biju Janata Dal's stand on the Presidential polls.

Noting that the discussions were still in the early stage, Patnaik, who is on a two-day visit to the city, said, "There is lot more time for that (deciding the party's stand)."

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that there is lot more time for deciding the party\'s stand.

Replying to a query on the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre over which non-Congress Chief Ministers are locked in a row with the Centre, he said, "I feel the NCTC rules in the present form are unacceptable...also the Union Home Ministry should have informed about this to the states before."

He recalled his speech at the chief ministers' meeting on the NCTC issue in Delhi, in which he had suggested that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa should head the sub-committee on the issue.

Patnaik also dismissed as "false" the allegation that huge amount was paid to the Maoists for the release of his party MLA Jhina Hikaka.

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