After Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there is a “conspiracy” behind the deteriorating health condition” of Naveen Patnaik, the Odisha Chief Minister hit back saying that if the PM was concerned about his health, all he had to do was to pick a telephone and enquire about his health.
Patnaik also asserted that his health is perfect and he has been campaigning in the state for the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections for the last one month.
“If he was so concerned about my health and he has stated publicly before that I am his good friend, all he had to do was to pick a telephone and ask me about my health,” Patnaik said.
“I understand that there are a number of people in the BJP from Odisha in Delhi, who have been spreading this rumour about my health for the last 10 years,” he added.
The Odisha CM added, “Instead of concerning about such rumours, you should concentrate on revision of coal royalty for our state and also our demand for a special category status, which we have been begging for years. This will benefit the people of Odisha.”
Speaking at a rally in Baripada in the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat, the prime minister said that there needs to be a detailed probe to “uncover the mystery” about the health of the PM.
“Every well-wisher of Naveen Babu is now concerned and worried about how his health has deteriorated in the past one year. People who are close to him tell me that he can’t do anything on his own,” the PM said.
“The question now is whether there is a conspiracy behind the deteriorating health condition of Naveen babu. Whether the lobby, which has been enjoying power from behind the scenes in Odisha in the name of Naveen babu, has a hand in it,” said the Prime Minister.
The PM added that the “mystery needs to be uncovered”, and a probe in the matter is also needed.
After the BJP forms the government in Odisha after June 10, our government will constitute a special committee to probe why Naveen babu’s health is falling suddenly… What is happening with his health… We will get all the details after a probe,” Modi said.
Although the PM didn’t name anyone, however the apparent reference is to Patnaik’s close aide and ex-IAS officer VK Pandian, whom he had earlier accused of capturing the CM’s office and residence.