"Patnaik is an efficient leader and his ability to manage situations during natural calamities is commendable," Gowda, who arrived here to attend a programme at Puri tomorrow, said.
He said Patnaik has managed calamities even without any help from the Centre which is "praiseworthy".
Gowda is scheduled to attend a meeting at Govardhan Peeth of Sankaracharya Nischalanand Saraswati.