Despite the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) setback in the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, outgoing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik remains as popular as ever among the people of Odisha. The outpouring of sympathy from all age groups, especially women, for the state’s longest-serving and most beloved chief minister continues unabated, even after his party faced a significant defeat.
On the ground, many view the 77-year-old leader as a ‘statesman’ who stood out in the current political landscape for his refusal to engage in ugly personal attacks or hate speeches. This rarity in modern politics, coupled with his monumental contributions to the state’s development, has left a lasting impression. Under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership, Odisha, once infamous for poverty and backwardness, was catapulted onto the world stage. For many, the emotional impact of Naveen losing the chief minister’s post is more profound than the BJD’s electoral defeat, resonating deeply with women and young voters.
Many people express that they belong to a generation that grew up seeing Naveen Patnaik as the chief minister, and it is hard to believe that someone else will now be at the helm of the state. Naveenji’s legacy and leadership are viewed as immortal.
Political analysts explain the sympathy wave for the ‘caretaker chief minister’ as a reflection of his immense popularity. His defeat is of greater concern to the people than the BJD’s loss. There is a belief that the anti-Pandian factor resulted in BJD’s loss, but hardly anyone spoke against Naveen, not even the BJP.
Social media platforms are also overflowing with support for Patnaik. Since the election results were announced, the hashtag #NaveenPatnaik has been trending on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), surpassing the congratulatory messages for the BJP’s success in breaking the BJD’s 24-year rule in Odisha.
A search for #NaveenPatnaik reveals close to 61,000 posts and reels dedicated to the leader on Instagram, with the majority uploaded after the election results. Popular pages and influencers with large followings have been creating and tweeting reels on his rule and contribution towards Odisha’s development, thanking him for everything he did for the state. Scrolling through social media platforms often leads to numerous top posts about him.
Youngsters of the state also echo this sentiment, viewing Naveen Patnaik as more of a statesman than a mere political leader. His dignified approach, coupled with a legacy of progress and development, has cemented his place in the hearts of the people, ensuring that his popularity remains unscathed despite the electoral setbacks faced by his party.
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