In the midst of videos circulating on social media showcasing the trembling hands of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern for the well-being of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader. He suggested that Patnaik’s supporters were troubled by his health and suspected a possible conspiracy behind the situation. However, Patnaik swiftly refuted these claims.
During a public gathering in Baripada town of Mayurbhanj district, Modi raised concerns about a hidden power lobby in Odisha that may be involved in a conspiracy. He promised that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in the state, a special committee will be established to investigate the reasons behind Patnaik’s declining health.
“People who care about Naveen babu and those close to him are deeply worried about his deteriorating health over the past year. Whenever they speak to me, they express their belief that he is no longer capable of independent action. They suspect that there might be some kind of plot behind this incident,” mentioned Modi.
“Are there any hidden agendas at play? The citizens of Odisha deserve transparency and the truth. Could the influential group operating behind the scenes in Odisha be involved in this matter? If the people choose to elect the BJP in Odisha, our administration will establish a dedicated committee after June 10th. This committee will investigate the reasons behind Naveen babu’s declining health,” he stated.
“Patnaik Responds to Modi, Expresses Hurt Over Comments”
During a public gathering, the Prime Minister made allegations about my deteriorating health and expressed his intention to initiate an investigation. However, if he genuinely cares about my well-being and considers me a close ally, a simple phone call would have sufficed to inquire about my health. It has come to my attention that several members of the BJP in Odisha and Delhi have been spreading false rumors regarding my health for the past decade. I want to assure the Prime Minister that I am in excellent physical condition and have been actively campaigning in the state for the past month. Instead of establishing a committee, I suggest that he forms a committee to investigate those responsible for spreading these baseless rumors,” Patnaik stated during an interview at his residence, Naveen Niwas.
Assam’s chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, recently posted a video on X platform. The video showed VK Pandian, a BJD leader and close aide to Patnaik, apparently concealing the chief minister’s trembling hand behind the podium during a speech at a meeting.
“He expressed his concern about the extent of influence that Shri VK Pandian has over Shri Naveen Babu, going as far as controlling even his hand movements. The thought of a retired ex-bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu having such control over the future of Odisha is truly unsettling.”
He further accused Patnaik of abstaining from signing any document himself. “I have suspicions that Pandian ji is misusing his digital signature. I request that once the BJP government is established, this matter should be thoroughly investigated,” Sarma stated.
During a separate gathering in Kendrapara, Modi declared that Odisha yearns to free itself from those who are plundering it. “Odisha desires to liberate itself from the faction that seeks to hold Odia culture and the Odisha government hostage. Today, the people wish to bring an end to the 25-year reign of the BJD. The entire state of Odisha is united in demanding that its chief minister be an Odia,” he expressed.
“The people of Odisha are demanding the Modi Guarantee. Odisha has made a decision to establish a ‘double-engine’ government this time. It’s not just Odisha, but the entire country that has chosen to form a ‘Strong Government’ for the third time. Today, I am here to offer you something and ask for something in return. I have come here to seek your blessings and also to invite you for June 10, as it is on this day that a BJP Chief Minister will be sworn in Odisha,” he stated.
Modi expressed that the people of Odisha had placed their trust in the BJD for 25 years, but it had betrayed them in every possible way.
BJD has attempted to seize the land belonging to the tribal communities. The BJD government has also engaged in the unlawful exploitation of mineral resources. In contrast, the Modi government established the district mineral fund and allocated a significant amount of money to Odisha. However, the BJD indulged in corruption even in this matter. There are allegations that the money stolen from Odisha has been stashed in foreign accounts. Regardless of where they hide the funds, Modi guarantees that they will be recovered. Those who have swindled the people will be required to repay the money and face imprisonment for the remainder of their lives. There is no sympathy for those who engage in such acts of plunder. This is an imperative for our country,” he asserted.
In addition, Modi raised concerns about the Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath temple and accused the BJD government of committing a major fraud against Lord Jagannath.
“People around the world are curious to know what happened to the keys of the Ratna Bhandar. What is contained in the investigation report and whose names are implicated?” PM Modi questioned. He further added that whatever the BJD is concealing, the BJP will expose it all once they form the government in Odisha.
During his speech in Baripada town of Mayurbhanj, Modi mentioned that in the past, Mayurbhanj was famous for women pulling the chariot of Maa Subhadra during the annual Rath Yatra festival.
“Now, Mayurbhanj’s own daughter, Droupadui Murmu, is leading a population of 1.4 billion people and governing the country as the President of India. She commands the three armed forces. This is a matter of pride for every individual in Odisha,” he stated.
Modi also predicted a significant political upheaval in the next six months, stating that the country will experience a new level of development after June 4.
“Today marks the final day of election campaigning in Odisha, and it is evident from the excitement that a stable Modi government will be formed,” he added.
