BJD leader counters Dharmendra Pradhan's claims on Naveen Niwas

Bhubaneswar, May 31: Responding to Union Minister and BJP MP candidate Dharmendra Pradhan's assertions regarding the infrastructure at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence, BJD leader Sasmit Patra delivered a sharp retort.

Patra, taking to social media, quipped about Pradhan's purported role as a security guard at Naveen Niwas, sarcastically commenting on Pradhan's potential frustration post-elections.

In a statement to ANI, Pradhan defended his claims, citing his longstanding acquaintance with Naveen since 2001 and asserting that the Chief Minister formerly tuned into Odia news channels for updates on the state's affairs. Pradhan also affirmed the existence of a direct telephone connection in Naveen's room, citing verified information.

Pradhan's remarks came in response to Naveen Patnaik's earlier statement questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sincerity in expressing concern for his health during a rally in Baripada. Naveen had urged why Modi, if genuinely concerned, hadn't reached out personally, prompting Pradhan to counter with assertions about Naveen's communication setup at Naveen Niwas.