Jaya must head NCTC panel, says Naveen Patnaik

CHENNAI: Visiting Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday was emphatic that his Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa must head the proposed sub-committee of CMs that would examine the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). A day ahead of sharing the dais with Jayalalithaa to celebrate Utkal Dibas - his first visit to the city to mark the occasion which triggered speculation of a political realignment ahead of the Presidential polls - Patnaik told reporters that the NCTC in its present form was simply unacceptable. He faulted the Union Home Ministry for keeping the States in the dark about its proposals. Patnaik also noted that Jayalalithaa had agreed to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of Odisha Bhavan in the city.On the Presidential polls, he said his party had sought the views of its MPs and MLAs to hone its strategy. “We are still in the early stages and there is a lot of time to choose a candidate,” he added. He categorically denied allegations of huge ransom being paid to Maoists for the recent release of abducted MLA Jhina Hikaka.Earlier, Patnaik took part in a discussion organised by the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) where he sought the advice of aqua culture experts for the upliftment of citizens of his State. New aquaculture methods to increase yield without affecting the preservation of mangroves drew his attention.