Purported Video of VK Pandian Controlling CM Naveen Patnaik’s Hand Goes Viral on Social Media
Bhubaneswar: As the BJP central leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah, continue to charge in all their public meetings in Odisha that the chief minister Naveen Patnaik is held “hostage” by a Tamil Nadu man, a purported video of BJD leader V Karthikeyan Pandian controlling the hand movement of CM Patnaik has triggered outrage in political circles.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a direct attack on Pandian. Taking to his X handle, Sarma uploaded a video in which Pandian was seen trying to control a shaking hand of the CM while the latter was addressing a meeting.
In his post, the Assam Chief Minister wrote: "This is a deeply distressing video. Shri VK Pandian ji is even controlling the hand movements of Shri Naveen Babu. I shudder to imagine the level of control a retired ex-bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu is currently exercising over the future of Odisha!"
BJP is determined to give back the reins of Odisha to the people of the state, his post further read.
Several other BJP leaders like Amit Malviya also shared this video on their X handles.
"Naveen Patnaik ji has had a memorable tenure as Chief Minister. But now he is indisposed. It is however unfortunate how he is being pushed to keep up a facade. Odisha realises it. A graceful farewell to the veteran politician and BJD, in these elections, would be a befitting tribute," Malviya wrote.
In response to the BJP’s observation on the video, CM Naveen Patnaik released a video message and said, "I believe, the BJP which is known to make non-issues as issues is discussing my hands. This will certainly not work."
