[ad_1]
Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged that there is a ‘conspiracy’ behind his deteriorating health.
“It is unfortunate that he (PM Modi) said this to get votes. He says he is my good friend, could he not have called me? Instead, he is saying this at an election rally to get votes,” CM Naveen Patnaik told reporters on Thursday.
On Wednesday, PM Modi hinted that there was a ‘conspiracy’ behind CM Naveen Patnaik’s deteriorating health. PM Modi further said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forms the government in Odisha, it will form a committee to ‘investigate the facts’.
Modi also said in his rally a few days before the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections that Naveen Babu’s well-wishers are worried about his deteriorating health condition.
The Prime Minister’s remarks on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s health condition came a day after Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian was “controlling” the movements of the Odisha Chief Minister even before his death.
Sharing a video showing Patnaik’s hand shaking while delivering a speech at a meeting and VK Pandian placing it on the table, Sarma said in a post on Instagram, “This is a very disturbing video. Shri VK Pandian is even controlling the hand movements of Shri Naveen Babu.”
Pandian, who hails from Tamil Nadu, studied in Delhi and started his career as a Punjab cadre IAS officer but moved to Odisha cadre after marrying an Odia woman.
The BJP has called him an “outsider” in Odisha politics.
Responding to Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remarks, Naveen Patnaik said in a video message on Tuesday, “I think the BJP, which is known for making non-issues into issues, is discussing my hands. This will definitely not work.” Modi also said: “The whole of Odisha wants an Odia chief minister. The people of Odisha have decided to put a full stop to the 25-year rule of the BJD in the state.”
Along with the 21 Lok Sabha seats, voting is also being held for the 147-member Odisha Assembly.
(With agency inputs)
You are on Mint! India’s #1 news destination (Source: Press Gazette). To know more about our business coverage and market insights Click here!
Get all the politics news and updates on Live Mint. Download Mint News App to get daily market updates and live business news.
more less
Published: May 30, 2024, 06:41 PM IST
[ad_2]
