Bhubaneswar, July 12: Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik received a rousing welcome upon his return to Bhubaneswar on Saturday after undergoing successful spine surgery in Mumbai.
Patnaik’s special flight touched down at Biju Patnaik International Airport around 2:30 PM, concluding his 21-day recovery period.
Supporters and BJD workers turned out in large numbers to greet their leader, lining the roads with party flags and chanting slogans of “Jai Jagannath” in a show of solidarity and admiration.
The BJD had arranged a ceremonial reception to mark Patnaik’s return, reflecting the deep emotional bond between the veteran politician and the people of Odisha.
Party leaders, including senior vice president Debi Prasad Mishra, Pranab Prakash Das, party MLAs, MPs, and Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana Das, were present to receive him and lauded Patnaik’s resilience and leadership.
Patnaik underwent surgery for cervical arthritis on June 22 at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. The procedure was performed by noted spine specialist Dr. S. Rajasekaran, chairman of Ganga Medical Centre and Hospitals, Coimbatore. He was discharged from the hospital on July 7 and spent a few days under medical observation before flying back to Odisha.
Currently serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Patnaik is expected to resume his political responsibilities gradually in the coming days.
His return marks not just a recovery from a medical procedure but also a moment of political significance, reinforcing his enduring influence and symbolic presence in Odisha’s political narrative.
