BJD's video shows Patnaik is fit, ready to face electioneering in summer heat

The ruling BJD in Odisha has released a short video showing its president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik exercising and jogging in his residence here in a bid to give a message to the people that he is fit and ready to face electioneering in the summer heat. The video also shows the 72-year-old Patnaik in a black sport gear cycling, lifting dumbbells, doing pushups and other regular exercises to keep himself in good health for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls to be conducted in four phases in the state.

Patnaik, who is contesting to form the government for the fifth consecutive time, is seen watching television and keeping track of developments. At end of the 2.08 minute video, which was released Friday, the smiling chief minister says "Getting ready to fight for the people of Odisha." It is said by various quarters that the ruling party deliberately released the video keeping in view the rumours over the aging chief minister's health.

In the past too some political rivals of Patnaik had started a rumour that the chief minister was not doing well. He had to clarify about his health at least twice last year. On April 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his public meeting at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district without taking any names had said that the Odisha government is taking 10 minutes to walk 10 steps.

(With inputs from agencies.)