Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday alleged Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s health was “deteriorating”, and added that it could be a “conspiracy”.
His comments, made at a poll rally in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj, came a day after Patnaik lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma’s claim that V.K. Pandian, a former IAS officer who is now a top strategist for Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD), was even “controlling” the CM’s “hand movements”.
He was referring to a video where Pandian is seen moving Patnaik’s hand, which appears to be trembling, away from public view as the CM addresses an event.
The clout Pandian, originally from Tamil Nadu, allegedly enjoys in Odisha has become a constant theme of the BJP’s attack on the BJD government in Odisha, which it seeks to unseat in the ongoing assembly election. Patnaik, 77, is seeking his sixth consecutive term as CM in the election.
At his rally, Modi said if the BJP returns to office at the Centre, it will set up a “special committee” to probe the “conspiracy” behind Patnaik’s “deteriorating health”.
People close to Patnaik discuss his health issues with him, Modi said, adding that the Odisha CM can “now not do things himself”.
“There could be a conspiracy behind his deteriorating health,” PM Modi said. “A probe into this matter is crucial.”
“After BJP wins the Lok Sabha elections, a special committee to probe why Naveen babu’s health suddenly deteriorated will be undertaken,” Modi said.
PM Modi also stated during the rally: "The question is of there is any conspiracy behind Naveen babu's ill health? This is the right of the people of Odisha to know. Is there any involvement of that lobby in this which is enjoying power in Odisha behind the scenes in the name of Naveen Babu? It is important to uncover this mystery."
"Therefore, after the formation of the BJP government in Odisha on June 10, our government will form a special committee to investigate why his health is suddenly deteriorating," PM Modi added.
‘Pandian’s Control On Odisha’s Future’
On May 28, Himanta Biswa Sarma posted a video on X in which Naveen Patnaik is seen addressing a public meeting. Pandian holds the mic for the CM, while the latter’s left hand, seemingly trembling, rests on the lectern. Pandian then shortly removes the CM’s hand and moves it towards the sloping top of the lectern, where it’s not visible to the audience. Click here to watch the video.
Sarma said the video is “deeply distressing”. “Shri VK Pandian ji is even controlling the hand movements of Shri Naveen Babu. I shudder to imagine the level of control a retired ex bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu is currently exercising over the future of Odisha!”
The BJP, he added, “is determined to give back the reins of Odisha to the people of the state”.
Patnaik hit back at BJP saying that the party turns trivial matters into issues. He also emphasised that these tactics would not prove to be effective.
“I believe the BJP which is known to make non-issues into issues, are discussing my hands. This will certainly not work,” Patnaik said.
Patnaik had also criticised the BJP for "spreading false information" regarding his health, clarifying that he is in perfect condition.
"There is a limit to the lies that the Bharatiya Janata Party can tell. As you can see, I am in very good health, and I have been campaigning for around a month all over the state," he said.
Patnaik made these comments after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the BJP would appoint a young and hardworking CM in Odisha once it comes to power, which he said is the only thing the state lacks.
PM Modi On His Relation With Naveen Patnaik
Through much of the Modi government’s tenure, Patnaik’s BJD has played the role of a friendly opponent to the BJP in Parliament.
In an interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when asked about his relations with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, said, "We have good relations with the leaders of all the political parties of India and in a democracy we do not have enmity. Now the question is whether I should maintain my relations or worry about the fate of Odisha."
PM Modi further said that he chooses to "devote myself to the bright future of Odisha"
"If I have to sacrifice my relations for that, I will sacrifice them and after the elections, I will convince everyone that I have no enmity with anyone," the PM added.