PATH OF THE EMPATH

Naveen Patnaik, 75, continues to be an enigma to the outside world. But for his supporters in Odisha, he is the caring leader who, in 25 years as a politician, transformed their state from one of the poorest to one of the fastest-growing

- PRATUL SHARMA

Naveen Patnaik has a penchant for history, and he is intent on making his stay in power historic. In his 25th year in politics of which 22 have been as chief minister-Patnaik has developed an overarching presence in Odisha. He has run the state with a group of handpicked bureaucrats and leaders, which his critics say is a coterie that helps him keep an iron grip on Odisha. It also ensures that there is no alternative to him, within and outside the party, yet.

Under Patnaik, Odisha has gone from starvation deaths to food security, and from being at the mercy of nature to becoming a role model in disaster management. "I have seen his career development. He is very methodical," said party MP Pinaki Misra. "He is like a chess player, he knows how to move pieces at the right time. Like a grandmaster, he can play several players at a time, tailoring his moves for each one of them."

What has helped Patnaik retain his electoral edge is that he has confined himself to Odisha, shunning national ambitions and a desire to influence Delhi politics. "We are guided by Odisha's interests; whoever can give the state the best deal, we will support them," said Patnaik, signalling his equidistance from both the BJP and the opposition grouping ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Patnaik, now 75, continues to be an enigma to the outside world. Until 50, he had a non-conformist lifestyle. He ran a boutique, Psychedelhi, from Delhi's Oberoi Hotel, and hobnobbed with the rich and the mighty. He stayed in his family bungalow on tony Aurangzeb Road (now A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Road), in which he still has a 50 per cent share, valued at ₹43 crore.

Everything changed after his father, former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik, died in 1997. On then prime minister I.K. Gujral's instance, he agreed to contest from his father's seat, Aska. The victory was a turning point in his life.