Sambalpur
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma raised concerns about Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s autonomy, alleging that Biju Janata Dal leader VK Pandian controls Patnaik, restricting his independence.
This election is about Odisha’s dignity, Sarma said, contrasting his freedom to travel and meet people independently with Patnaik’s constant presence with Pandian. As a Chief Minister, I travel alone and meet people freely. But Odisha’s CM is always with VK Pandian and can’t meet anyone alone, Sarma stated.
Sarma suggested a High Court judge should privately assess Patnaik’s well-being to ensure he isn’t under duress. A neutral judge should speak to Naveen Babu alone to check if he is happy. In the past 10 years, no one has met Naveen Babu alone; Pandian is always present, he added.
Sarma claimed BJD members are concerned about Patnaik’s lack of private interactions, indicating an unusual and troubling situation. If a constitutionally elected CM is in a hostage situation, it’s harmful to the country and Odisha, Sarma concluded.
Meanwhile, Sarma and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan offered prayers at the Maa Samaleswari temple in Sambalpur, Odisha, ahead of the May 25 polling. Pradhan faces BJD’s Pranab Prakash Das and Congress’s Nagendra Pradhan in the election.
