Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi spoke to Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik over the phone on Thursday morning to wish him on his birthday.
Naveen turned 79.
Extending greetings on his birthday, the CM said: “I pray that Lord Jagannath bestows you with a long and healthy life.”
Majhi had earlier posted a message on X, extending greetings on his birthday.
Odisha Governor Kambhampati Hari Babu also posted a birthday message for the LoP on X. “Warm birthday greetings to Shri @Naveen_OdishaJi. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath bless him with good health, happiness, and a long life ahead.”
Deputy CMs K V Singh Deo & Pravati Parida also wished him on his birthday.
Wishes also poured in from Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Naveen responded to each and every message on X.
Internationally-acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik also created a sculpture on Puri beach to wish the former CM on his birthday.
Naveen to lead BJD rally in city today
After months of limited appearances due to health issues, Naveen joined the BJD’s Jan Sampark Padyatra in Bhubaneswar, walking with party workers and engaging with residents while highlighting the BJP govt’s alleged failures.
The former CM will also visit SOS Village in Khandagiri, spend time with residents, and distribute sweets among the children.
The padyatra was launched on October 9 on the birth anniversary of Pandit Utkalamani Gopabandhu Das and his absence from the campaign’s initial phase drew criticism from Opposition parties and analysts, who saw it as a sign of leadership fatigue within the BJD.
The campaign will continue till Jayaprakash Jayanti on November 9, covering every ward, block, panchayat, district council, village and election constituency, highlighting the BJP’s alleged misgovernance.
Life & Politics
Naveen was born on October 16, 1946, in Cuttack. A graduate of Doon School and St. Stephen’s College, he entered politics by winning the 1997 Aska Lok Sabha by-election, following the death of his father Biju Patnaik. That year, he split from Janata Dal to form the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). In the subsequent Lok Sabha elections, Naveen formed an alliance with BJP and also served as the Minister of Steel and Mines under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In 2000, he was elected as the 14th Chief Minister of Odisha even as the state grappling with the aftermath of the devastating 1999 super cyclone. After an impressive 24-year tenure as the second-longest-serving CM in India, his party faced defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.