Naveen Patnaik's aide VK Pandian quits active politics after BJD's poll debacle

VK Pandian

Days after the Biju Janata Dal was dislodged in state Assembly polls, close aide of Naveen Patnaik VK Pandian quit active politics on Sunday.

"...Now consciously I decide to withdraw myself from active politics. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone on this journey. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play in BJD's loss..." expressed Pandian in a video message.

Pandian’s Tamil origin became one of the talking points of the BJP’s poll campaign with Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressing that the BJP chief minister nominee would be someone who is born in Odisha and speaks Odia.

The BJP had also alleged that Pandian will take over as Odisha CM if the BJD wins again citing Naveen Patnaik’s health.

In a video message, Pandian’s also apologised to the BJD workers and leaders, if his campaign led them to defeat the recent elections. He also clarified that he has not accumulated any wealth and his wealth from the beginning of Civil service till date remains same. He also said that his heart will always remain for the people of Odisha and Lord Jagannath.

On Saturday, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik defended Pandian after his party’s shocking defeat in the state Assembly election and called his aide’s criticism “unfortunate”.

The former Chief Minister also asserted that the latter did an “excellent job” without even holding any posts and talked about role played by Pandian during crises such as cyclones and the COVID-19 pandemic.