Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik said on Thursday that the people of the state would decide who his successor would be.

He also clarified that his Man Friday V.K. Pandian is not his successor. The chief minister also denied the allegations that Pandian was taking all decisions on his behalf.

In an interview to ANI, Naveen said: “He (Pandian) is not my successor. I have said repeatedly that my successor will be decided by the people of the state. This is a natural process.”

The BJP is constantly targeting Naveen on the issue of his successor and stating that Pandian is going to be the successor of Naveen. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma targeted Naveen and continued to maintain once the BJP is voted to power, a son of the soil would be the chief minister of the state and not an outsider, targeting Pandian.

Pandian, the 2000-batch IAS officer, took voluntary retirement in October last year and has been assisting Naveen in managing the affairs of the party. The Opposition has also accused him of interfering with the state administration

if Pandian was being given more importance than BJD leaders; Naveen said, “I find all this quite nonsensical. Party members have a great say, they have high positions, they are ministers, they are the people’s representatives, and they hold all powers they should in a democracy.”

On Pandian taking all decisions, Naveen said: “This is ridiculous, and I have said it often before that this is an old allegation, and it holds no weight.”

He also said that the BJP was making these allegations out of desperation, as its popularity was on the wane. “I see it that they are getting more and more desperate, particularly as their popularity is waning in the country.”

On the issue of supporting the NDA after the election, Naveen said, “We will judge and take our appropriate position.”

Naveen also exuded confidence that the BJD would do well in the election and form the government. “We will form a solid government in Odisha,” Naveen said,

Speaking about his health, Naveen asserted that he was fit and fine. “I face no health issues at all. I am in excellent health. I have been campaigning for the last month in a very hot season and I am fine,” Naveen said while responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concern about his health.

Naveen also said that if the Prime Minister is so concerned about his health he should pick up the telephone and call him directly and inquiry about his health instead of saying all these things in a public meeting. “This means that all he is trying to do is garner votes during the election time. This rumour has been spread by the people in Delhi for the last 10 years. My health is perfectly alright.”

On the viral video about his hand terribly trembling, Naveen said: “It’s no medical condition at all, It has been exaggerated for no reason by a BJP chief minister. Naveen was targeting the Assam chief minister.