Wishes pour in as former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik turns 79

Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: Wishes poured in from common people and politicians across party lines as former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik turned 79 on Wednesday. After serving as Chief Minister for 24 years, he is now  the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.

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Born in 1946 in Cuttack, Naveen is the youngest son of the Biju Patnaik and Gyan Patnaik. Despite being the son of a prominent politician, Naveen spent much of his early life abroad, distant from the political arena.

In the 2000 assembly elections, the BJD-BJP alliance emerged victorious, and Naveen Patnaik became Chief Minister for the first time on March 5, 2000. His party BJD lost to BJP in the 2024 Assembly elections after 24 years ruling.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today is organising 'Jiban Bindu programme' (blood donation camps) across the state today celebrating Patnaik's birthday.

Many ministers of Odisha, political leaders, and actors wished the former Chief Minister a happy birthday and good health.

Speaker of the Odisha assembly Surama Padhy taking twitter handle and tweeted, “I extend heartfelt birthday wishes and greetings to the esteemed leader of the opposition and former Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik. May Lord Jagannath bless you with a long, healthy, and prosperous life.”

ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ପାଇଁ ଅନେକ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ https://t.co/AHm1uwTa3Q

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 16, 2024 "><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">

ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ପାଇଁ ଅନେକ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ https://t.co/AHm1uwTa3Q

&mdash; Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 16, 2024

Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradha also extend greeting on his birthday and said, “Happy birthday wishes to former Chief Minister and opposition leader @Naveen_Odisha. May the Lord bless you with a long and healthy life.”

ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ପାଇଁ ଅନେକ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ https://t.co/gaKdAmevSj

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 16, 2024 "><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">

ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା ପାଇଁ ଅନେକ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ https://t.co/gaKdAmevSj

&mdash; Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 16, 2024

Actor Kamal Hassan wished, “My best wishes to Thiru Naveen Patnaik Ji on his birthday. You have dedicated your life for the people of Odisha and have transformed the state. I wish you continued good health and may you continue to serve with your distinctive leadership and integrity.”

Thank you for your warm birthday wishes https://t.co/cwvA7XbAWU

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 16, 2024 "><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">

Thank you for your warm birthday wishes https://t.co/cwvA7XbAWU

&mdash; Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 16, 2024