Modi, KCR congratulate Patnaik for retaining Odisha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, on Thursday, congratulated Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his Biju Janata Dal's performance in the state Assembly elections.

The BJD on Thursday looked set to form its government for a fifth straight term negating a Modi wave that is sweeping the country, with its candidates leading in 112 of the state's 146 seats.

"Congratulations to Naveen Babu for yet another victory in Odisha. Wishing him the very best for the next term," Modi tweeted.

"Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in a message congratulated and conveyed his greetings to Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha on his party's (BJD) victory in the Assembly elections," a release from Rao's office said.

BJD candidates were ahead in more than 100 of the 146 assembly seats in Odisha for which polling was held in four phases. Patnaik, who is contesting the Assembly polls from Bijepur and his home turf Hinjili, is leading on both the seats.