Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik quashed rumours about his failing health during his visit to Lingaraj Temple at Old Town in Odisha capital on Friday.
“Whenever there is an election, rumours about my health starts doing the rounds. I can assure all of you that I am in perfect health, very happy and here to serve the people of the state,” he told mediapersons after offering prayers at the 11th-century shrine.
He, however, refused to comment on any political motive behind these rumours. “Since the model code of conduct is in force, one should not speak too much. Whenever there are such rumours, you can be assured that BJD is going to do very well,” he added.
The CM was at the temple to personally review the progress of Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monuments Revival Action Plan (EKAMRA Plan), which was launched in 2019 for all-round development and beautification of the periphery of the temple.
Notably, Naveen had not campaigned for the ongoing Panchayat elections. He was also criticised for not physically attending his office and the state legislature despite visiting different districts in recent months to launch the state-sponsored Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) smart health cards ahead of the three-tier panchayat elections.
In December, the ruling dispensation drew flak when Naveen inaugurated a state-run restaurant here while the Winter Session of Assembly was on but did not show up in the House.
On January 26, possibly to dispel doubts and rumours about his health, Naveen attended the state-level Republic Day parade here alongside Governor Ganeshi Lal. He also went around the garden at Lok Seva Bhawan (earlier referred to as the Secretariat) but did not step foot in his office in the building’s Third Floor, thereby raising many eyebrows.
