Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has earned high praise from people across the country not only for his efficient handling of the Covid-19 situation in Odisha but also for the way he has been trying to help other states and even the government at the Centre. Rising above narrow political considerations in these tough times, he extended a helping hand to the government of Delhi when it was facing an acute shortage of oxygen and also offered all possible assistance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his fight against the pandemic. This is the hallmark of a true leader for whom no political interest is bigger than the interest of his country and its people.
This is not for the first time that Patnaik has extended help to other states of the country. Last year, he had sent a team of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) to West Bengal to carry out rescue and rehabilitation work in the neighbouring state ravaged by cyclone Amphan. The gale had also caused massive destruction in Odisha, but the Chief Minister thought it proper to send help to West Bengal which had suffered even more. Before that he had come to the rescue of Andhra Pradesh under similar situations.
Among the most well-educated Chief Ministers of the country, who has authored some well-known books, Patnaik knows the importance of rising above politics at a time of unprecedented crisis that the country is facing these days. Even though his party Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Odisha’s most successful regional outfit till date, has ideological differences with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and it has also been critical of some of the decisions of the NDA government, he had no hesitation calling up Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few weeks ago to offer him all possible help from his side in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the political level, Patnaik has been consistently following a policy of maintaining equidistance from the BJP and Congress, but this has not stopped him from extending support to the government at the Centre on issues of national interest. The actions of the Chief Minister have always been guided by national interest and the interest of people. For example, he extended support to the proposal for ‘One Nation One Election’ because it is in the interest of the country and will also help reduce the burden on the exchequer.
At the same time, Patnaik has been careful not to align himself with any political bloc in the country despite repeated requests from top leaders of several national parties. While he has turned the BJD into an election-winning machine and one of the most formidable regional forces in the country, he has always been cautious about his role in national politics. This has enhanced his image and today he is seen as not only the most successful Chief Minister of India but also as one of its most sensible leaders who is genuinely loved and respected by its people.
Comment here