[Watch] Odisha CM Asks ‘Apana Mane Khusi Ta’ Amid Loud Cheer For Lifetime Achievement Award

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday got a rousing welcome on his return from Delhi after being conferred with Lifetime Achievement in recognition of his distinctive and outstanding leadership qualities by Capital Foundation society.

A sea of people gathered outside the Biju Patnaik International Airport, which reverberated with sounds of gongs, conches and slogans praising Naveen Patnaik. Donning traditional costumes, tribal women also performed folk dances on the road to show.

Naveen rode a special bus from the airport, waving at the party workers from atop the vehicle, to his residence, Naveen Niwas.

The crowd cheered as the CM used his famous tagline, “Priya Bhai O Bhauni Mane! Apana mane khusi ta? Mu bi bahut khusi”, while addressing them from his luxury vehicle, which he had also used during the 2019 election campaign.

He added that the award belongs to all the 4.5-crore people of Odisha and not to him alone.

In view of the rally, 30 platoons of police force with 8 ADCP and 16 ACP were deployed to regulate the traffic in the city. Earlier, air passengers were asked to reach the airport 3 hours prior to their scheduled departure.

The Odisha BJP, on the other hand, has alleged that the award ceremony was sponsored by the BJD government to boost its prospects ahead of the 2024 elections. “Naveen Babu (CM Naveen) has the habit of buying such awards prior to elections. Nothing new in this. An organisation, which is not known to anyone and has no credibility, is felicitating CM. Isn’t this a drama?” Odisha LoP Jayanarayan Mishra questioned.

Chief Whip Mohan Majhi had earlier said that while the Chief Minister has become number one, the state is still backward.