I Speak Odia Well: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Amid criticism for his lack of knowledge in Odia even after being in power for 19 years, Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik claimed that he had no problem speaking the language of the state.

“Those who claim that I am not comfortable with Odia are wrong. In fact, I can speak Odia very well,” said the Chief Minister in an interview to the NDTV on Monday.

Talking about the prospects and performance of his party in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, he said the people will vote for the BJD for the massive development that his government has undertaken in the state. “The people of my state are not fed up with the 19-year rule of the BJD government,” he maintained.

Commenting on the national scenario, the Chief Minister said no party will be able to secure a majority to form the government at the Centre.

To another question on the BJD’s stand to extend its support to any national party after the general elections, he said they may not support any party and most likely stick to their ‘equi-distance’ policy.

Asked about the allegation that the state is governed by the bureaucrats, the Chief Minister said this is absolute ‘rubbish’. “In fact, I and my ministers take all policy decisions,” he pointed out.

Clarifying on BJD’s sloppy performance in the last Panchayat elections, Naveen said his party had taken that election lightly. “Even I had not campaigned for my candidates in the Panchayat elections. However, we have rectified our mistakes,” he noted.

Replying to a question on the leader who would succeed him, the Chief Minister said he is absolutely fit. “The people will select the right leader at the right time,” he said.

He also quashed the speculation about his elder sister Geeta Mehta joining politics. “My sister will never enter politics,” he said.