Amid circulating videos on social media showing Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik?s shivering hands, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over Patnaik's health, suggesting a potential conspiracy behind it. Modi?s comments during a public meeting in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district, have sparked a heated exchange between the two leaders.
Modi addressed the public on Wednesday, noting the worry among Patnaik?s well-wishers. ?The well-wishers and those who were close to Naveen babu are worried over the fact that his health has deteriorated significantly in the last one year. Whenever they meet me, they say that he is unable to do anything on his own. They believe that there might be a conspiracy behind the incident,? Modi said.
Modi hinted at a possible conspiracy involving a hidden power lobby in Odisha. ?Is there any conspiracy? The people of Odisha have the right to know the truth. Is the lobby, who is enjoying power in Odisha behind curtains, involved in the matter? If the BJP is voted to power in Odisha, our government will form a special committee after June 10. The committee will ascertain as to why Naveen babu?s health deteriorated,? he added.
In an immediate rebuttal, Patnaik expressed his dismay over Modi?s comments. ?The PM in a public meeting has said that I am in bad health and that he wants to institute an inquiry. If he is so concerned about my health and he has stated publicly before that I am a good friend of his, all he had to do was to pick up the telephone and ring me up about my health,? Patnaik said to journalists at his residence, Naveen Niwas.
Patnaik continued, dismissing the rumors about his health. ?I understand a number of people of BJP in Odisha and Delhi have been spreading rumours about my health for the last 10 years. Let me assure the PM that I am in perfect health, and I am campaigning in the state since last month. If he were to form a committee, I suggest he form a committee to look into people who are spreading such rumours,? he added.
The controversy intensified with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma sharing a video on X (formerly Twitter), in which Patnaik?s close aide, VK Pandian, appeared to hide the chief minister's shivering hand behind a podium. ?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,? Sarma commented.
