Politics is not complicated. Politics is the most powerful instrument to bring about change in the lives of people. When you keep people first – it is good politics, when you keep people first there is no anti-incumbency, said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his acceptance speech at Pune on Sunday. (His speech was circulated here) He was conferred the “Ideal Chief Minister” Award by the Indian Student Parliament and MIT World Peace university, Pune.

Former president of India, Ms Pratibha Patil and former Union minister Murali Manohar Joshi presented the Award to the Odisha CM in the presence of several eminent people. In his address, the CM said “ you cannot lead people unless you love them” quoting Martin Luther King. He dedicated the award “to the four and half crore people of Odisha who have reposed their faith in us for the past 17 years and continuously blessed us”.

Referring to the technological advancements made by the country, Mr Patnaik said the evolution that one would have like to have in governance and public service is still to beachieved. The biggest challenge before all of us on Sunday is – how to strengthen governance and instil public service – in turn strengthening democracy. “Twenty years ago I was a political novice. I would have never imagined that I will be standing here  as one of the longest serving Chief Ministers of the country”, he said. Mr Patnaik highighted some of the achievements of his government like providing land rights to urban sum dwellers.

All the negative associates of politics – power, wealth and position dissolve into nothingness, if you love the people . He attributed his love for people to the success of ensuring zero casualty even in worst of natural disasters, leading the country in Rural Housing, highest poverty reduction in the country. “I am single, with a loving family of four and half crore people,” he remarked. The award was given to CM Naveen Patnaik on the basis of his performance , leadership, governance, fight against corruption.

At Bhubaneswar, ruling BJD leaders and workers were celebrating the award. They have started  putting up huge hoardings and cut outs as part of a mega reception to the CM when he returns from Pune. The Opposition BJP described the award as a publicity stunt, pre-arranged or rigged by fabricated figures.

Last year, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik had been  adjudged the “Best Administrator” by a news magazine , this time around he is he Ideal CM..all of  it is publicity material far from ground realities, alleged the BJP. But what the BJP glossed over is the fact that their  own party stalwarts like Arun Jaitley in the Best Administrator award case last year and Murali Manohar Joshi on Sunday were part of the events.