Naveen Patnaik Returns to Odisha After Successful Spine Surgery

Naveen Patnaik's Triumphant Return

Bhubaneswar: Naveen Patnaik, the president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), made his way back to Bhubaneswar on Saturday following a successful recovery from cervical arthritis surgery in Mumbai.

His special flight touched down at Biju Patnaik International Airport around 2 PM, marking his return to Odisha after a 21-day absence, as noted by BJD senior vice president Debi Prasad Mishra.

The former Chief Minister, who has held office five times, received a warm ceremonial welcome from party supporters who had gathered at the airport since early morning. The atmosphere was filled with chants of 'Jai Jagannath' as Patnaik emerged.

Thousands of supporters lined the route from the airport to Naveen Niwas, Patnaik's residence, waving placards and BJD flags to greet their leader. He acknowledged the crowd with waves as he exited the airport.

Patnaik, who serves as the Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, had traveled to Mumbai on June 20 for his surgery, which took place on June 22 at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. After two days in the ICU, he was moved to a private room and discharged on July 7.

The surgery was performed by Dr. S Rajasekaran, a renowned orthopaedic surgeon and chairman of Ganga Medical Center and Hospitals in Coimbatore.

During Patnaik's absence, a 15-member committee led by vice-president Debi Mishra managed the party's operations in the state.