Odisha CM Claps Back At BJP After Himanta Sarma Says, 'VK Pandian Controlling Naveen Babu's Hand Movements'

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik criticised the BJP for using a video to allege that his hand movements were controlled by an ex-bureaucrat, calling it a non-issue.

In response to a video shared by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, which claimed that former IAS officer VK Pandian is "even controlling Naveen Babu's hand movements", Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik criticised the BJP for turning trivial matters into issues. Patnaik also emphasised that such tactics would not be effective.

As BJP leaders, notably Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, launched a new salvo against the BJD, Patnaik retaliated saying, “I believe the BJP which is known to make non-issues into issues, are discussing my hands. This will certainly not work,” Patnaik said, PTI reported.

In the video, he is seen raising his left hand and looking at it while recording his message, in an apparent counter to the BJP leaders who had posted videos of his shaking hand.

He also remarked, "BJP said they will form govt in Karnataka, they failed, they said the same for Telangana and Himachal Pradesh and failed. I'm certain that the same repetition of the same will happen in Odisha. Senior BJP leaders such as CMs and cabinet ministers visit Odisha as guests, we expect them not to use poor language and make false allegations. This is not appreciated by the people of the state. I pray to lord Jagannath that better sense prevails with them", as quoted by news agency ANI.

" BJP said they will form govt in Karnataka, they failed, they said the same for Telangana and Himachal Pradesh and failed. I'm certain that the same repetition of the same will happen in Odisha. Senior BJP leaders such as CMs and cabinet ministers visit Odisha as guests, we expect them not to use poor language and make false allegations. This is not appreciated by the people of the state. I pray to lord Jagannath that better sense prevails with them"

Previously, BJP leaders circulated a clip showing Pandian holding the microphone for the chief minister and pushing the chief minister's hand behind the lectern, apparently to conceal it from public view.

BJP Leader's Comment Followed Amit Shah's Declaration

Sharing a video of Patnaik giving a speech at a meeting and shaking his hand, followed by Pandian placing it on a table, Sarma wrote on X, "This is a deeply distressing video. Shri VK Pandian ji even controls Shri Naveen Babu's hand movements. I shudder to imagine the level of control a retired ex-bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu is currently exercising over the future of Odisha! BJP is determined is give back the reins of Odisha to the people of the State."

BJP leaders, including Shah, earlier suggested that 77-year-old Patnaik should retire due to his age and health concerns. The party also pledged to elect a young, Odia-speaking local as Chief Minister if they come to power.

Earlier this month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared at an election rally that Patnaik will no longer be chief minister after June 4, the date the votes will be counted.

Patnaik responded to claims about his health saying that the BJP of lying about the matter.

“There is a limit to the lies that the BJP 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,” Patnaik stated, PTI quoted saying.

Pandian had also exclaimed the statements of BJP leaders as “unfortunate and below the belt”.

In Odisha, Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are conducted concurrently, with the final phase scheduled for June 1.