VK Pandian quits active politics after BJD’s loss in Odisha
VK Pandian, Naveen Patnaik‘s adviser, declared on Sunday that he has decided to leave active politics. The declaration comes just days after Naveen Patnaik’s BJD lost the Odisha Assembly election.
“Now I consciously intend to withdraw myself from active politics. I apologize if I have caused anyone harm during this journey. I apologize if the campaign narrative against me contributed to BJD’s loss,” he said.
Pandian, a close aide to Naveen Patnaik, has been widely accused by BJD officials and workers for the party’s dismal performance in the recently ended Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections.
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Pandian announced the decision in a video message
On Sunday, the Biju Janata Dal leader and 5T Chairman released a video message. He said, “I hail from a very humble family in a little village. My early dream was to join the Indian Administrative Service and serve the people. Lord Jagannath made it happen. I moved to Odisha with my family from Kendrapara. I have earned enormous love and respect from the people of Odisha since the day I first set foot on their soil. I’ve tried to work extremely hard for the people.”
Pandian, who joined the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office 12 years ago, described working under Naveen Patnaik as a “honour”.
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“The experience, the learning I had from him is for lifetime. His expectation from me was to implement his vision for Odisha, and he successfully crossed many milestones in health, education, poverty reduction…” VK Pandian said.
The former bureaucrat stated that he took voluntary retirement and joined BJD to assist his mentor, Naveen Patnaik.
“My only intention was to aid him (Naveen Patnaik). I’d like to clarify some preconceptions and narratives. Perhaps it was my fault that I was unable to adequately oppose some of these political narratives at the right time,” Pandian said.
I restate that I entered politics to assist my mentor Naveen Patnaik ahead of the grueling election. I had absolutely no desire for a certain political position or influence. As a result, I was neither a political candidate nor did I have any position in the BJD.
