Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed concern over the deteriorating health of chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

He said that after the BJP formed government in Odisha on June 10, a special committee would be formed to probe what led to the sudden deterioration in the chief minister’s health.

Addressing rallies in Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Kendrapara ahead of the fourth phase of polling on June 1, Modi said people are concerned about the chief minister’s health and have the right to know its status.

“Is there a conspiracy behind chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s deteriorating health? Is the lobby running Odisha in the name of Naveen Babu responsible for this poor health condition of the chief minister?” said Modi.

He was targeting Naveen’s trusted litenuenat and BJD ‘s chief strategist V.K. Pandian.

Modi raised the issue of Naveen’s health after a video surfaced on social media showing Pandian helping Naveen on the dias by holding his trembling hand. While the BJP has consistently raised the issue of Naveen’s health. Debate also held on Naveen’s liver problem. However, Naveen has maintained that he is fit and fine and “rumors” are being spread about his health with an ulterior motive.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “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.”

On Wednesday, Sarma further tweeted, “Yesterday Mr Pandian was controlling Naveen Babu’s hands; today, it is his legs. Puppeteering an elected 5-term Chief Minister in such a manner is unprecedented in our history. My heart goes out to Naveen Babu, who may be unaware of this situation. The only way to restore his dignity, and that of Odisha, is to vote out the BJD.”

In the latest video that surfaced in the media, Pandian, who was sitting in a chair behind Naveen on the dias, was seen nudging Naveen’s leg to give some signal from behind.

Earlier on Tuesday, in a video message, Naveen said: “I believe the BJP which is known to make non-issues into issues are discussing my hands. This will certainly now work.”

Releasing another video message on Wednesday, Naveen said how people are coming to the state for campaigning and hurling abuses against him. He appealed to people to teach them a lesson on June 1st by voting in favour of the BJD. “Political leaders from outside are attacking me at a personal level. I never disrespect anyone or make any hurtful statements against anyone ever,” Naveen said.

Harping on Naveen’s health issues, Modi said Naveen Babu’s well-wishers are very worried about his health and worried to see how Naveen Babu’s health has deteriorated so much in the last year.

“Over the year, whenever people close to Naveen Babu meet me, they definitely discuss Naveen Babu’s health. They tell Naveen Babu is no longer able to do anything on his own and some even suspect a conspiracy behind the poor health condition of Naveen Patnaik,“ the Prime Minister said.

Coming down heavily on the Naveen government, Modi said the BJD betrayed the people of Odisha.

“You have given the BJD the opportunity for 25 years. The BJD looted the mineral resources in Odisha. Those who have looted the people of Odisha will have to pay for it,” Modi averred.

He also assured that after the BJP comes to power in the state, the files of all the scams that were reported during the last 25 years will be opened. “The scams will be probed along with the who were involved and how much was looted. This is Modi’s gurantee,” Modi said.

At his concluding meeting at Kendrapara, Modi said a son of the soli Odisha would be sworn in as the chief minister. He also raised the issue of the Shree Jagannath Temple. “ Odisha is voting for the BJP. It’s my commitment to ensure Odisha’s overall development,” Modi said.

Earlier, the state had also witnessed a debate on Naveen’s health issues. “I have no idea about Naveen’s health. He is also attending the election meetings. But One’s hand terribly trembles when his or her nervous system is weak. It happens in old age. Some people also suffer from Parkinson’s disease,” a doctor said.