In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister Na rendra Modi addressed concerns over Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s health during an election rally in Baripada, Mayurb hanj Lok Sabha seat. Expressing alarm over what he described as an unexpected deterioration in Naveen Patnaik’s condition, Modi hinted at the possibil ity of a deliberate scheme behind the decline. Promising action if elect ed, Modi pledged to estab lish a special committee un der a BJP-led government in Odisha to investigate the matter thoroughly. This statement is likely to spark widespread speculation and debate among political circles and the public alike in the Eastern state where the last phase of polling will be held on 1 June. “For the last one year his health has deteriorated rap idly, those who have been close to him all these years, when they meet me, they talk about his health. They tell me that he is not able to do anything on his own. These people who have been with him for a long time say that there can be a conspira cy behind his failing health. The question is whether there is indeed a plot behind Naveen Babu’s deteriorating health. People of Odisha have the right to know this. Is the lobby that is enjoying it self while using Naveen babu’s name behind this conspiracy? This needs to be uncovered. After 10 June when BJP comes to power, a special committee will be formed to inves tigate the sudden deterioration in Naveen’s health, “ Modi said. Exuding confidence that a BJP CM will take oath on June 10, Modi said the commit tee’s primary objective will be to uncover any potential foul play or hidden agendas that may have contributed to Naveen babu’s fall ing health,” the PM said. He repeated the same issue at another rally at Remuna and Balasore. “It’s a sensitive is sue relating to Naveen babu’s health. His well-wishers are worried why his health de clined so fast. Naveen babu is not in a posi tion to do anything on his own,” the PM said.
Earlier, BJP party functionaries had shared videos that showed Patnaik addressing a public rally even as his hands were shaking rapidly. The video showed former IAS offi cer VK Pandian, who is now seen as the de facto chief minister of the state and president of the Biju Janata Dal, holding the mike for Patnaik to speak, while trying to move the trembling hands of Patnaik behind the table to hide it from the camera. In the run-up to the general elections and the assembly elections, the BJP and BJD were engaged in a series of meetings for a pre poll alliance, which eventually did not work out leading to a bitter fall out. However it is expected that post 4 June, if the BJP led National Democratic Alliance falls short of the required numbers to form the government at the Centre, Patnaik and Pandian will extend their support to the alli ance without much fuss.