Naveen Patnaik turns 79: Odisha CM Mohan Majhi extends wishes to LoP and BJD chief

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, turned 79 today. As part of his birthday celebrations, the BJD supremo is slated to mark a public outreach campaign with a ‘jan sampark padayatra’ in the Ganga Nagar Mangala Basti in Bhubaneswar.

Reports stated that the event, overseen by BJD workers, has local residents actively participating, laying floral paths, placing kalash pots, and preparing ceremonial arrangements along the streets to welcome Patnaik.

The birthday padayatra is designed as a direct engagement with constituents. Sources noted that the padayatra also serves to energise party workers, preparing them for upcoming electoral challenges, including the highly fierce Nuapada by-election.

Cross-Party Acknowledgment

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended birthday greetings to Naveen Patnaik via X, along with making a direct phone call.

ମାନ୍ୟବର ବିରୋଧୀ ଦଳ ନେତା ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ @Naveen_Odishaଙ୍କୁ ଜନ୍ମଦିନର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ଓ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ।
ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଆପଣଙ୍କର ଉତ୍ତମ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ, ଦୀର୍ଘ ଏବଂ ସୁଖମୟ ଜୀବନ କାମନା କରୁଛି।

— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) October 16, 2025

“Heartfelt birthday wishes and congratulations to the esteemed Leader of the Opposition, Shri Naveen Patnaik. I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for your excellent health, long life, and a joyful life,” he wrote on X

Nuapada Bypoll Presents Tense Scenario

Amid the birthday celebrations, Patnaik also recently addressed political developments, announcing Snehangini Chhuria as the BJD candidate yesterday for the upcoming Nuapada by-election.

Describing Chhuria as a seasoned leader from Western Odisha, he highlighted her prior ministerial experience and long-standing commitment to advocating for women, the poor, and marginalised communities.

However, the BJD is in strife with challenges after Jay Dholakia, son of the late four-time BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia, joined the BJP. He was subsequently declared as the saffron party’s candidate for the upcoming bypolls, a move that was largely unforeseen by the BJD.