The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday returned to the Odisha capital after 21 days, his longest absence from the state in over two decades, following a medical procedure in Mumbai for cervical arthritis.
Hundreds of party workers from across the state thronged the Biju Patnaik International Airport and along the route to Naveen Niwas, Patnaik’s residence, to accord a rousing reception to the leader.
Patnaik, also the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, had undergone the medical procedure at a private hospital in Mumbai on June 22. He got discharged from the hospital on Monday and was under medication for a week before returning to Odisha.
Several BJD leaders including MLAs, MPs and senior leaders were present at the airport to welcome the BJD chief.
The regional party, which has been facing internal wrangling following its defeat in the 2024 assembly and Lok Sabha polls, has used the occasion to energise the workers to fight against the BJP government in the state.
“The crowd shows peoples’ love for Naveen Babu who has put Odisha on the growth trajectory. Massive outpouring of people to see him today proves that he is the most popular leader in the state,” said senior BJD leader Debiprasad Mishra.
As Patnaik’s “deteriorating health” and “advanced age” was an issue during the 2024 elections by the BJP with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted at a “conspiracy” behind the former Odisha chief minister’s falling health, BJD sources said Patnaik’s return will be a slap on that sinister campaign.
Story continues below this ad
In a ‘political messaging’ to the BJD cadres, the regional party also indicated that Patnaik, after a few days of rest, will be more active and devote more time to the party activities.
“When Naveen Babu decided to go for surgery in Mumbai, a campaign was launched by the vested interests that he would not return to Odisha anytime soon. He has returned with sound health and will soon guide us to fight against the BJP government in Odisha,” said a BJD leader.
Before leaving for Mumbai, Patnaik had assigned the political affairs committee (PAC) to deal with party affairs. BJD sources said the committee would continue to decide the party’s future course of actions.
