‘You defeated me… Congrats’!!

Naveen Patnaik is a composed and mature politician in contemporary politics.

In the recently held Assembly polls, he contested from Hinjali in Ganjam district and Kantabanji in Bolangir district. In Kantabanji, he was defeated with a difference of 16,344 votes.

He reached the Assembly to take oath as the MLA as he won from Hinjali. Afterwards, he met other MLAs and had friendly conversation with them. During this, BJP MLA Lakshman Bagh stood up and greeted him. Then he introduced himself.

Reacting on the occasion, Naveen said: “Oh. is it you who defeated me? My congratulations to you.”

Naveen’s remarks surprised the onlookers. His complacency and sportiveness impressed Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, his Cabinet and other MLAs on the premises.

Even the netizens heaped praises on Naveen Patnaik for having the heart to accept his defeat and at the same time, acknowledging the victory of his rival, even when he had been the CM for 24 long years.

Naveen Patnaik had been the Chief Minister of Odisha from March 5, 2000 to June 12, 2024.

Son of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, Naveen Patnaik is three years younger to former PM Rajiv Gandhi. Naveen is the classmate of Rajiv Gandhi’s brother Sanjay Gandhi. Though he had been away from politics, he made foray into politics after his father’s death in 1997.

The same year he founded Biju Janata Dal and had delivered governance in the state since then.