Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, departed for the national capital on a week-long personal visit.
Sources close to the veteran leader indicated that the trip is primarily a family matter, aimed at checking on the health of his elder brother, Prem Patnaik, who recently underwent major heart surgery and is recovering at a private hospital in Delhi. Prem’s condition has been described as stable, though it continues to require medical supervision and monitoring.
Naveen Patnaik is expected to spend around seven days in Delhi, during which he plans to spend quality time with his brother and consult with doctors regarding his ongoing treatment and recovery.
The former Odisha Chief Minister, who led the state for over two decades until 2024, has maintained a relatively low public profile in recent months while continuing to guide the BJD as its president and serving as Leader of Opposition. His departure from Bhubaneswar has nonetheless triggered speculation in political circles that he may use the opportunity to hold informal meetings with senior leaders in the national capital.
Party insiders, however, have emphasised that the visit remains largely personal in nature, with no formal political agenda announced so far. Further details on any possible engagements during his stay are expected to emerge in the coming days.
