CM Naveen Slams PM Modi for Remarks on His Health in Polls Rallies, Says Pandian Not His Successor

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik on Thursday slammed Pm Modi for his comments regarding his health and also declared that Pandian is not his successor.

In an exclusive interview to a news agency, the BJD Supremo made a statement regarding the much discussed question, whether VK Pandian is his successor, and said, “I find all of this quite nonsensical. Party  members have a great say, they have high positions, they are ministers, they are the people’s representatives and they hold all powers that they should in democracy.”

He was also too critical about the recent election meeting utterance of PM Modi that a special committee would be formed to examine Naveen Patnaik’s deteriorating health conditions if BJP comes to power. Naveen said, “All I have to say is that If PM Modi was so concerned about my health, all he needed was to pick up a telephone and inquire about my health instead of stating it loudly at a public meeting. This means all he is trying to do is garner votes during election time. This rumour has been spread by the people in Delhi for the last 10 years. My health is perfectly alright.”

“I face no health issues at all. I am in excellent health. I have been campaigning for the last month in a very hot season and I am fine,” he added.

When asked whether the BJD will support the BJP in future, he said, “When support is required, we will judge our appropriate position.”

He reiterated that he always chairs the cabinet meetings and there is not a single cabinet meeting that he did not chair.

He was too optimistic about BJD’s win in the ongoing Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha. According to him, the BJD will get a ‘handsome’ figure, form government in Odisha, and will also get a good number of Lok Sabha seats.