PM Narendra Modi greets Odisha CM on birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik on his birthday and said he prayed for his long and healthy life.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on his 70th birthday even as the members of the ruling BJD carried out celebrations to mark the occasion.

"On Naveen Patnaik ji's birthday, I extend my greetings and pray for his long and healthy life," Modi tweeted.

The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) also greeted the Chief Minister while ministers, MLAs, BJD functionaries and government officials including Director General of Police Sanjeev Marik made beeline before the Naveen Niwas here with flower bouquets to wish Patnaik.

The student wing of the ruling party held a procession from the BJD office till Naveen Niwas. Hundreds of students from nook and corner of the state participated in the birthday rally, said Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president and MLA Bymakesh Ray.

As the party activists shouted 'Naveen Patnaik Zindabad,' others beat drums and blew conch shells.

The day turned sweeter for the BJD student activists as their wing won in above 95 percent of the colleges where students union elections were held on October 14.

The Chief Minister had, however, skipped birthday celebration for last two years in view of devastation caused by the cyclones- Phailin in 2013 and Hudhud in 2014.