Naveen Patnaik Responds To Health Question Day After PM's Conspiracy Barb
NDTV
Odisha is among the BJP's key focus areas in this election, and party leaders have said they are confident of a good show in both the general election and state polls
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged a "sudden deterioration" in Naveen Patnaik's health condition, the Odisha Chief Minister today said he is "very well" and hopes to "continue to serve the people of my state". #WATCH | On PM Narendra Modi, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik says, "I have done that (dialling PM Modi) often. The Prime Minister has said in recent public meetings that I am a good friend of his. So, if he heard these rumours and was concerned about it, was it not his duty to pick up… pic.twitter.com/OfMIERNYcC #WATCH | On allegations by the opposition and former BJD leaders that "VK Pandian takes decisions on behalf of CM Patnaik", Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik says, "...This is ridiculous and I have said it often before, this is an old allegation and it holds no weight." pic.twitter.com/FTNZSoEqOe
The Biju Janata Dal chief, the second longest-serving chief minister of the country, was speaking to news agency ANI ahead of the final phase of polling in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. The state polls in Odisha are being held alongside the general election.
A series of social media videos purportedly showing Mr Patnaik in a frail condition had prompted the BJP to question his health. In a rally at Odisha's Balasore, the Prime Minister hinted at a "conspiracy" behind the "sudden deterioration" in the 77-year-old Chief Minister's health. "Is the lobby that is currently running the Patnaik government on his behalf responsible for it?" the Prime Minister said, adding that if the BJP comes to power in the eastern state, it will form a panel to probe this matter.
