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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a scathing attack on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's close aide and senior BJD leader VK Pandian, accusing him of holding Patnaik captive and controlling his every move.
Sarma's allegations stem from a video that has surfaced on social media, in which Pandian can be seen controlling the shivering Patnaik on a dias while he addresses a rally. Sarma has expressed concern about the future of Odisha under Pandian's influence.
The BJP has also alleged that Pandian has held Patnaik hostage, restricting his ability to interact independently. Sarma has emphasized that, as a chief minister, he travels alone, meets people freely, and is accessible to the media, in contrast to Patnaik, who is never seen without Pandian by his side.
Pandian has slammed the BJP's allegations, claiming that the saffron party's self-goals will help the BJD and that none can stop the regional party from forming the government for the sixth consecutive time.
The assembly and Lok Sabha polls in Odisha are being held across four phases, from May 13 to June 1. The counting of votes in the state and elsewhere will be held on June 4.
In the last assembly elections in 2019, the BJD swept the election by winning 112 out of the 146 seats. The BJP won 23 seats, while Congress had to be content with just 9.
Source: ‘Pandian even controlling hand movements of Naveen Babu’: Assam CM Himanta Sarma