Political Drama: Modi, Patnaik Have a Spat Over Health Issues

Modi and Patnaik have a disagreement over Patnaik’s health; Brij Bhushan’s son faces trouble.

CM Naveen Patnaik said PM Modi should focus on the development and financial needs of Odisha instead of forming a committee to investigate his health.

The 2024 elections have strained the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Speaking at a rally in Odisha on Wednesday, the Prime Minister raised concerns about Patnaik’s declining health and suggested there might be a conspiracy behind it. PM Modi emphasized the necessity of a thorough investigation to unravel the "mystery" surrounding the sudden deterioration in the CM’s health. He also mentioned that people have expressed worries about Patnaik's health, which has worsened over the past year, and individuals close to the CM have frequently discussed his health issues with him.

Patnaik, renowned for his concise communication, remarked that rather than establishing a committee to scrutinize his health, the prime minister should prioritize Odisha's development and financial requirements. In a decisive yet composed statement, the Odisha CM affirmed his good health, suggesting that if the prime minister genuinely cared, a simple phone call to inquire would suffice.

The Biju Janata Dal chief accused BJP leaders from Odisha of spreading rumors about his health. Patnaik, under scrutiny for promoting his aide and former bureaucrat VK Pandian, also mocked BJP's suggestion that he doesn't campaign. Responding to media questions, he jokingly excused himself, stating he was on his way to campaign in Nimapara.

Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Controversy seems to be following the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India and lawmaker from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh. After facing allegations of sexual harassment by female wrestlers and his controversial departure from the federation, Singh, a six-time lawmaker, was not nominated to contest in the elections.

Due to his influence in the region, the party agreed to nominate his son, Karan Bhushan Singh, from Kaiserganj for this year’s Lok Sabha elections. However, on Wednesday, the son made headlines for the wrong reasons. Two young men were killed and a woman was injured when a car from Singh's convoy collided with a motorcycle.

Some leaders within the party believe that Singh, who has built a reputation as a 'Bahubali' (strongman), should have been kept at arm's length. They didn't even support the decision to field his son from Kaiserganj.