Bhubaneswar: The longest serving chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik, who is known to spring surprises, has finally spoken about his successor.

The septuagenarian leader has left the decision to be made by the people of Odisha.

In an interview to India Today TV, Naveen Patnaik mentioned that his party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has not chosen a successor yet and the decision, whenever taken, will be made by the people of Odisha.

BJD supremo’s statement has sought to put spanner on rumours about his successor being from the family.

Patnaik thanked especially the women of the state for turning out in large numbers to vote which resulted in thumping victory of the party in the recently-held simultaneous election where the party grabbed 112 assembly and 12 Lok Sabha seats.

“First, I would like to thank the people of odisha for having showered their blessing for the fifth time on us so generously. l would also like to thank the leaders and workers of my party for working so hard and particularly for the women of Odisha who came out in large numbers to vote for us,” Patnaik told in his opening reaction during the interview.

When asked about hunger for the sixth term, Patnaik said: “I certainly hope that it will repeat itself for the sixth term.”

Naveen Patnaik along with his cabinet colleagues will take oath and office of secrecy on Wednesday at 10.30 am at IDCO Exhibition Ground in the state capital.