Naveen Patnaik more likely to make a record fifth term in the Assembly polls

Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, is looking for a record fifth term in office as his party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), faces a forceful BJP - a former partner - which has made advances into the seaside state. The 72-year-old, one of India's longest-serving chief ministers, is certain, having even welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his swearing-function as the state was highly involved with voting in favor of both the national and assembly elections.

Mr. Patnaik challenged from two seats without precedent for this assembly election - Hinjili, his home turf in south Odisha from where he has been winning since 2000, and Bijepur in west Odisha.

In the run-up to the elections, Mr. Patnaik combat seething gossipy rumors over his wellbeing; the Prime Minister, at an open gathering in the state, said the Odisha government was taking "10 minutes to walk 10 steps" in an evident burrow at the Chief Minister.

A wellness video - the septuagenarian was seen doing cardio, lifting loads - was viewed as the mild-mannered Chief Minister's endeavor to quiet rivals and depreciators as he closed down with a "preparing to battle for the general population of Odisha" message toward the finish of the video.

The Chief Minister, when a piece of the BJP-drove National Democratic Alliance somewhere in the range of 1998 and 2009, keeps up that he's "equidistant" from that party just as the Congress. Asserting that no party will get a lion's share in the national elections, Mr. Patnaik has said that he will bolster any party or alliance that underpins the improvement of Odisha, particularly in the aftermath of the beast twister Fani that executed 64 individuals and left a trail of demolition in the state.

In contrast to a portion of his partners - former and present - in different states, Naveen Babu, as he is affectionately called, has said that he has no "national desire" and is substance to "remain in Odisha".