Bhubaneswar: A video featuring Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik doing exercises has gone viral, triggering speculation that it has been released in the run-up to the elections ostensibly to beat the perception that he is not keeping well.
Naveen, who is 72 years old, is Odisha’s longest serving Chief Minister and currently eyeing a fifth successive term in office.
Social media has of late been abuzz with speculation about Naveen’s fitness.
BJD insiders claim that Naveen is fit and rumours about him not healthy enough to hold the reins of power are sponsored by his political rivals. Last year, in a bid to silence critics and put speculation about his health at rest, the BJD supremo told media that he was perfectly fine.
BJP national president Amit Shah, during a rally at Bhawanipatna last year, had said, “The Chief Minister has got tired of governing and a change is needed in the state.”
The videos shows the BJD boss doing his morning drills, jogging, cycling, lifting weights and et al inside his residence, Naveen Niwas. “Getting ready to fight for the people of Odisha,” Naveen signs off at the end.
