Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reacted to the BJP's recent criticisms regarding his health. The 77-year-old leader dismissed the BJP's focus on his trembling hands, calling it a non-issue that won't affect his political standing.

"The BJP, known for making non-issues into issues, is now discussing my hands. This will certainly not work," Patnaik said, countering the BJP's narrative amid the ongoing simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha.

The controversy began after a video surfaced showing Patnaik's close aide, VK Pandian, seemingly trying to hide the Chief Minister's trembling hands during a speech. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma quickly seized the moment, suggesting that Pandian was attempting to usurp power. Sarma posted the video on X, expressing his concerns about Pandian's influence over Odisha's governance.

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"This is a deeply distressing video. Shri VK Pandian ji is even controlling the hand movements of Shri Naveen Babu. I shudder to imagine the level of control a retired ex-bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu is currently exercising over the future of Odisha! BJP is determined to give back the reins of Odisha to the people of the State," Sarma wrote.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also targeted Patnaik's health in his campaign, suggesting that the five-time Chief Minister should retire due to his age and health issues. Shah promised that the BJP would bring in a younger, local leader if elected.

In response, Patnaik rejected the BJP's claims, saying, "There is a limit to the lies the BJP can tell. As you can see, I am in very good health, and I have been campaigning for around a month all over the state.”

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The BJP's criticism of Pandian, a bureaucrat-turned-politician, has been a recurring theme. Without naming him directly, Shah accused Pandian of exercising undue influence in Odisha, calling him a "Tamil babu" and urging voters to free the state from "babu raj."

Pandian recently outlined BJP's nine "self goals," claiming they would ensure BJD's continued governance