Naveen counters Modi's concerns, calls for action on state issues

Bhubaneswar, May 29: Responding firmly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concerns, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asserted his robust health on Wednesday, suggesting that the Prime Minister should redirect his attention to pertinent state matters rather than dwelling on rumors about his well-being.

During a press briefing, Patnaik recommended that Modi focus on revising coal royalty and addressing the demand for special category status, highlighting their significance for Odisha's development. He dismissed allegations of ill health as baseless, noting his active participation in state campaigns over the past month.

Addressing rumors that have circulated for a decade, Patnaik expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister chose to address the issue publicly instead of contacting him directly. He suggested that if Modi truly wished to address concerns about his health, a simple phone call would have sufficed.

Patnaik further proposed that if a committee were to be formed, it should investigate the individuals spreading rumors about his health, rather than probing his own well-being.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi, speaking at an election rally in Mayurbhanj, had expressed worries about Naveen Patnaik's alleged deteriorating health and pledged to initiate an inquiry into the Chief Minister's medical condition should the BJP come to power.