A purported video of BJD leader VK Pandian controlling the hand movement of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has triggered outrage in political circles.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a direct attack on BJD leader VK Pandian. Taking to his X handle, Sarma uploaded a video in which Pandian was seen trying to control a shaking hand of the Chief Minister 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.
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"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, Chief Minister 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."
'Pandian misusing CM's signature'
Later in the day, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma observed,"After seeing the video, no one can doubt that Naveen Babu does not sign and you can seek information about it under the RTI. All of his signatures are done digitally. These digital signatures are used by Pandian. After our government is formed, I would recommend an inspection of all signatures done in the last few months to check if they have been done with Naveen Babu's knowledge or Pandian has misused CM’s signatures"