Naveen Patnaik's aide VK Pandian quits active politics after BJD loses Odisha election

VK Pandian, a close aide of former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, declared his retirement from active politics on Sunday (June 9) following the Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) defeats in theLok Sabha and assembly elections.

“My aim of joining politics was only to assist Naveen babu and now willfully I decide to withdraw myself from active politics,”Pandian said in a video message.

“I am sorry if I have hurt anyone in this journey of mine. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play in BJD's loss. I apologise to the entire Biju Parivar, including all the party workers for this,” he added.

It is worth mentioning here, not only was the BJD reduced to a single Lok Sabha seat in the parliamentary elections, but it also faced defeat in the assembly polls, marking the end of Naveen Patnaik's 24-year rule in Odisha.

Pandian, who was seen as a potential successor of Naveen Patnaik, drew some strong criticism after the BJD's shocking defeat in the state election.

A day before on Saturday (June 8), Patnaik said that Pandian was not his successor and that the people of Odisha will decide who his successor would be.

"Pandian is a person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that," Patnaik said.

“Pandian is facing criticism from everywhere, this is unfortunate. He joined the party and has not held any post. He refrained from contesting the elections from any constituency. I have always said when asked about my successor that it is not Pandian and I say it again that the people of Odisha will decide my successor,” the former CM said.

“Pandian did an excellent job in various fields in the last 10 years, be it during two cyclones or the COVID-19 pandemic. After doing such good work, he retired from the bureaucracy and joined the BJD. He contributed largely by doing some really good work. He should be remembered for his honesty and his good work," Patnaik added.

(With inputs from agencies)