Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik received a hero’s welcome Saturday as he returned to Odisha following a successful spine surgery for cervical arthritis in Mumbai.
Patnaik’s special flight landed at Biju Patnaik International Airport around 2 PM, marking the end of his 21-day recovery.
Thousands of supporters lined the streets waving BJD flags and chanting “Jai Jagannath” as Patnaik stepped out of the airport. The party had organised a ceremonial welcome, showcasing the emotional connection between the veteran politician and the people of Odisha.
The surgery, performed on June 22 at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital by Dr. S. Rajasekaran, chairman of Ganga Medical Centre and Hospitals in Coimbatore, was reportedly successful. Patnaik was discharged from the hospital on July 7 and returned after observation and rest.
BJD senior vice president Debi Prasad Mishra confirmed Patnaik’s return and praised the leadership team that managed party affairs during his absence. Patnaik, currently serving as the Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, is expected to gradually resume duties over the coming days.
The grand welcome underscores Patnaik’s enduring popularity and the symbolic weight of his return in Odisha’s political landscape.
V.K. Pandian’s Surprise Visit to Naveen Patnaik Sparks Fresh Speculation Over Post-Election Dynamics:
Soon after Naveen Patnaik’s arrival, VK Pandian, the former IAS officer and ex-Private Secretary to Patnaik, was seen visiting Naveen Nivas, reigniting public curiosity over his proximity and relevance within the party’s inner circle, despite his earlier announcement of political retirement.
