Stung by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's charge that he tried to replace him and spread rumours about his health, Jay Panda told NDTV that he found the comments "ridiculous and very sad". He also called it ironic, coming from his former mentor. "I think it's ironic that someone who has spent four terms in office and is seeking a fifth term... The more credible allegation could be that someone is clinging to power past his sell-by date," Baijayant Jay Panda said.
