Blaming V.K. Pandian for BJD’s loss in 2024 elections unfortunate, says party supremo Naveen Patnaik
The Hindu
Naveen Patnaik came to the defence of his close aide, calling the criticism unfortunate.
With bureaucrat-turned-politician V.K. Pandian under fire for Biju Janata Dal’s defeat in 2024 elections, outgoing Chief Minister and party supremo Naveen Patnaik on Saturday came to the defence of his close aide, calling the criticism unfortunate.
Mr. Patnaik has been meeting party leaders ever since declaration of election results on June 4 and instructing them to keep playing constructive role in Opposition. Many senior leaders also met at his residence- Naveen Niwas on Saturday.
“It has also come to my notice about some criticism of Mr. Pandian. This is unfortunate. As an officer he did excellent job in many fields, helping in two major cyclones and COVID-19 epidemic in our State in past 10 years,” said the BJD supremo.
“After this good work, he retired from bureaucracy and joined my party and contributed with excellent work. He is person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that,” Mr. Patnaik said defending him resolutely.
“I would also like to add that Mr. Pandian has helped in health, education, sports and in our programme of temple restorations. Mr. Pandian had joined the party and not held any post. He did not fight in these elections from any constituencies,” he remarked.
When asked about reasons behind BJD’s first defeat in past 24 years, Mr. Patnaik said “that is in the people’s hand. In a democracy, you have to either win or lose. So having been defeated after long time, we must always take the verdict of people gracefully. I always said that 4.5 crore people of Odisha are my family and I will continue to serve them in whichever way I can.”
“I would like to repeat again that my deep gratitude is for people of my State for blessing me time and time again and permitting me to serve them. We have tried to do excellent job and we have much to be proud of in our government and in our party,” he asserted.
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