Odisha CM hits back, invites PM for his swearing in event

BALASORE: BJD president and four-time Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has retorted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that ‘Naveen Babu’s time is up.’

Speaking at an election rally in Basta in Balasore, Mr Patnaik said he wanted to have Mr Modi as a guest in his swearing-in ceremony.

“The PM, during his election rally in Kendrapara on Tuesday, had stated that he would visit Odisha again after dislodging BJD government. However, with the blessings of people here, BJD has already secured majority in the Assembly after the third phase polls,” said the leader.

“I humbly invite him (Modi) to attend the oath-taking ceremony of BJD government as a guest,” Mr Patnaik stressed.

Mr Modi, while addressing a public meeting at Barua ground in Kendrapara, had launched a direct attack on Naveen Patnaik for the first time stating that ‘Naveen Babu’s time is up and his exit is certain.’

“The way BJD has adopted violence in the last 10-15 days and a handful of his officers have remained blindfolded, I want to tell him that Naveen Babu, your time is up now. No one can save you now, not even a handful of officers. People of Odisha are in a mood to bid you adieu with anger,” Mr Modi had asserted.

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