But it was time Patnaik rose to the bait. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was phishing for trouble, believing himself clever by half. On May 6, Prime Minister Modi suddenly "ups" and declares Patnaik’s governing days are "numbered”. The Prime Minister declares that Odisha should have a Chief Minister who knows Odia and Odisha culture.

Odisha’s people will be voting on whether or not Naveen Patnaik should get another term, and the Gujarati-speaking Prime Minister has a problem. Modi did not mention Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by name, which a cultured person would have. Modi chose to shame without naming. Is the Prime Minister scared of Chief Minister Patnaik? He might be, with reason, too. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been beyond the Prime Minister’s quiver of arrows; unapproachable to central investigating agencies.

PM Modi levelled unmentionable charges against a former ally and the media called it “Modi taking potshots at Naveen Patnaik”.

"Odisha needs a Chief Minister who understands Odia language and culture", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on May 6. Is it a case of “pollomania”? The “barbed remarks” were made during a political rally Modi was addressing in Odisha’s Berhampur. Modi says the BJP will form the government in Odisha on June 10. The Lok Sabha elections and assembly polls are being held simultaneously in Patnaik’s state.

Last heard, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik can speak Odia even in his sleep. Has Prime Minister Narendra Modi hurt Odia sensibilities? The answer will be in the June 4 package deal Patnaik says he will sign with the voters of Odisha. Prime Minister Modi believes he has Odisha in his fist and on June 4 Patnaik will be packed off into retirement. Patnaik isn’t laughing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s jokes aren’t funny. The ball is in the voter’s court and the rebound will hit Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the face.

Question is, can Modi take the rebound on the chin? Patnaik’s top aide VK Pandian, who is Tamil but with knowledge of Odia culture, took a potshot of his own, asking the Chief Minister what he thought of Modi getting funnier by the day, though not in so many words? Chief Minister Patnaik hit back at Modi and assured Pandian that Modi needn’t worry, the BJD will form Odisha’s next government and Modi can stop the “wishful thinking.”

“The BJP has been daydreaming for many days,” Patnaik quipped to Pandian, who in turn said, “Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30am to 1.30pm on June 9.” Appears like "Victory Kumar" Pandian has a sense of timing and PM Modi now knows exactly when his bluff will be called, right down to the “am” and “pm”. A workaholic like Modi has met his match in VK Pandian.

Modi had earlier lambasted both BJD and Congress for the entrenched poverty in “resource-rich Odisha”. In his unique manner, Modi charged both parties with the systematic loot of Odisha’s resources: "The Congress for around 50 years, and BJD for around 25 years. Odisha has fertile land, mineral resources, sea coasts, a trade centre like that of Berhampur, culture, heritage and what not. There is everything in Odisha. Then why are its people poor, who is responsible for this sin? The answer is Congress and BJD. Small leaders of BJD have become owners of big bungalows."

Modi’s diatribe against the Patnaik government did not stop. Modi charged Patnaik with failing to utilise central funds. “Modi gave more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore, but you know only the budget will not ensure work. BJD did not implement and did corruption. BJD puts their sticker and takes credit. They could not do anything themselves,” Modi stuck his foot out and said, “June 4 is your expiry date... On June 4, BJP's CM face will be announced. On June 10, the swearing-in ceremony will take place. I invite all of you to the swearing-in ceremony.”

This was before VK Pandian stuck his tongue out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Important thing is, Modi and Pandian have both told each other when to be where? It isn’t funny anymore. Both Pandian and Modi are dead serious on who is forming the next Odisha government. It is not wishful thinking anymore. It isn’t BJP daydreaming anymore. Both parties are ready to fight the June 4 outcome, whatever that be. VK Pandian’s “Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30am to 1.30pm on June 9” is as sure and confident as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “I invite all of you to the swearing-in ceremony on June 10.” (IPA Service)