Bhubaneswar, June 22: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders, led by Vice President Debi Prasad Mishra, Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochan Das, Former Minister Ashok Panda visited the historic Lingaraj Temple on Sunday to pray for the speedy recovery of party chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Mishra noted the outpouring of support from across society. “People from all walks of life — senior citizens, Har Har Mahadev committees, and even those across party lines — are praying for Naveen Ji’s recovery. He is a beloved leader of Odisha,” he said, adding that a surgery may be conducted today, depending on his condition.
The wave of prayers extended beyond Odisha. On Saturday, BJD leaders and members of the Odia community in Delhi gathered at the Jagannath Temple in Hauz Khas to offer their prayers. An ‘akhand deep’ (eternal flame) was lit as a symbol of collective hope and healing.
Former MP and senior BJD leader Amar Patnaik, speaking from the Delhi gathering, said, “As Naveen Ji undergoes surgery in Mumbai tomorrow morning, we, who are away from Odisha, have assembled here at Lord Jagannath’s temple to pray for a successful procedure and his quick recovery.”
He added, “For Naveen Patnaik Ji, politics has always been about selfless public service — a spiritual journey devoted to the welfare of the underprivileged. There is no other leader like him in India. Naturally, we are all deeply concerned about his health.”
On Sunday morning, Patnaik successfully underwent treatment for cervical arthritis in Mumbai.
