Large Gathering At Bhubaneswar Airport As Naveen Patnaik Leaves For Mumbai For Arthritis Surgery

Bhubaneswar: BJD leaders gathered at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on Friday to see off party president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik as he departed for Mumbai for a scheduled cervical arthritis surgery on June 22 at a private hospital.

They wished him a successful operation and quick recovery.

Cervical arthritis is a common, age-related condition that affects bones, discs, and joints of the neck. He revealed about his health-related complication and his scheduled visit to Mumbai for the treatment on his X handle two days ago. “Jai Jagannath. As per medical advice, I will undergo a procedure for cervical arthritis on June 22 at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, coordinated by my doctor, Dr. Ramakant Panda. With Lord Jagannath’s blessings and the good wishes of Odisha’s people, I look forward to returning soon to serve you all,” he wrote.

Former minister Niranjan Pujari noted that the emotional bond Odisha’s people share with Naveen was evident in the large airport gathering.

“He will undergo a procedure for cervical arthritis on June 22. His personal doctor, surgeon Dr Ramakant Panda, will be incharge of the procedure. He sought the blessings of the people of the state and Maha Prabhu Jagannath to come back and serve the people of the state. I have received many messages wishing him well. It has been made clear by him that the party’s political affairs committee will look into day to day working of the party,” former MP Amar Patnaik told the media.

In Naveen’s absence, the BJD’s day-to-day affairs will be handled by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the party.  Debi Prasad Mishra, senior vice president of BJD (Headquarters), will coordinate activities and programmes between different wings of the party, according to the office order.

“We pray to Lord Jagannath for his swift recovery so he can return to lead BJD, challenge the BJP, and restore our party as the state’s top force,” BJD leader Prafulla Samal added.