Bhubaneshwar: BJD chief and Leader of the Opposition in Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, was admitted to a private hospital here on Sunday due to dehydration.
His health condition is stated to be stable and is improving.
“Shri Naveen Patnaik was admitted to SUM Ultimate Medicare, Bhubaneswar, at 5.15 pm today due to dehydration. His condition is stable and he is responding well to treatment,” a bulletin issued by the private hospital said.
The five-time CM had recently undergone a spinal surgery for cervical arthritis at a hospital in Mumbai on June 22. He returned to Odisha to a rousing reception on July 12 after a successful surgery.
The 78-year-old former chief minister complained of uneasiness on Saturday night, and some doctors visited his residence, Naveen Niwas, party leaders said.
BJD’s national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra posted a video on X, in which Patnaik, lying in a hospital bed, could be seen interacting with the treating doctors. The medical practitioners asked him how he was feeling, to which he responded that he was feeling well.
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan prayed for the speedy recovery of Patnaik.
“I came to know about the illness of Odisha’s former chief ministe,r Shri Naveen Patnaik. I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for his speedy recovery,” the governor post on X.
Majhi, in a post, said, “I came to know about the illness of the opposition leader, Honorable @NaveenOdisha. I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for his speedy recovery and good health.”
Union Education Minister Pradhan said, “I came to know that the former chief minister of Odisha, opposition leader @NaveenOdisha, is unwell. I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for his good health and speedy recovery.”
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida also prayed for Patnaik’s speedy recovery.
“Got to know about the illness of the opposition leader, Shri @NaveenOdisha. I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for his good health and speedy recovery,” she said.
BJD, in an X post, said, “The blessings of Lord Jagannath and the goodwill of the people of Odisha are with Naveen Patnaik as he continues his recovery.”
He is the founder president of Biju Janata Dal, named after his father and former CM Biju Patnaik. The BJD was in power from 2000 to 2024 five times in a row before getting defeated in last year’s elections.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, and BJP MLA Babu Singh were among those who visited the hospital and enquired about Patnaik’s health.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das, in an X post, said, “I am deeply concerned upon hearing the news of the illness of former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition, Shri @NaveenOdisha. I pray to Lord Jagannath for his speedy recovery and good health.”
Patnaik, who had undergone spinal surgery for cervical arthritis at a hospital in Mumbai, had returned to Odisha on July 12.
He had left for Mumbai on June 20 and underwent the procedure on June 22. He was discharged from the Mumbai hospital on July 7.
