Bhubaneswar, May 20: Clearing the air about his successor, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik stated on Thursday that VK Pandian is not his successor and that the people of Odisha will make that decision.

In an exclusive interview with a national news agency, Patnaik addressed several allegations and concerns. When asked about opposition claims that VK Pandian makes decisions on behalf of the Odisha CM, Patnaik responded, “This is ridiculous. I have addressed this old allegation multiple times, and it holds no weight.”

Regarding questions about whether Pandian is placed above other BJD party leaders, Patnaik remarked, “I find all of this quite nonsensical. Party members hold significant positions, they are ministers and representatives of the people, and they wield all the powers they should in a democracy.”

Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent statement about forming a special committee to examine his health if the BJP comes to power, Patnaik said, “If PM Modi was truly concerned about my health, he could have simply called to check on me instead of making it a public issue. This is merely an election tactic. Rumors about my health have been spread by people in Delhi for the last 10 years. My health is perfectly alright.”

Addressing further concerns about his health raised by the saffron party, Patnaik emphasized, “I face no health issues at all. I am in excellent health. I have been campaigning for the last month in very hot weather and I am fine.”

When asked about a viral video showing his key associate assisting him with his shaking hand, Patnaik clarified, “It’s no medical condition at all. It has been exaggerated by a BJP Chief Minister for no reason.”

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