The audience watches in awe as Naveen Patnaik emerges from the rooftop of his campaign bus, in a lift that rises like a pulpit. The man, who has never tasted defeat and hopes to return a record fifth term overcoming the anti-incumbency factor, has done more than 1,000 km of roadshows this poll season and enjoys a near cult-like status, especially among women. But this time, there seems to be visible chinks in his armour of invincibility. 

It’s been more than 20 years since the son of the ..