V.K. Pandian, close aide of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, won’t contest elections in 2024: BJD

V.K. Pandian, close aide of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, clarifies he won't contest elections; BJD to launch campaign to reach out to people with message of development.

Putting all speculation to rest, V.K. Pandian, a close aide of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on December 15 told the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) that he would not contest the Lok Sabha election or the Assembly election next year.

After Mr. Pandian joined the BJD in November, there were rumours that the former IAS officer would contest elections.

Mr. Pandian was appointed Chairman of the ‘5T’ transformational initiative of the State government in the rank of a Cabinet Minister. The Tamil Nadu-born former bureaucrat is widely perceived to be the successor to Mr. Patnaik.

“At the BJD’s State executive body meeting, Mr. Pandian himself clarified that he would not fight any election. There had been malicious campaign against him with regard to his role in the party. They [Opposition] were exaggerating every issue [the former bureaucrat joining the party],” senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra told reporters after the meeting.

Party sources said Mr. Pandian would play a greater role in the BJD’s election management, including selection of party candidates for both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with the sole aim of ensuring that Mr. Patnaik wins election for a record sixth time in a row.

Addressing the executive body meet, Mr. Patnaik said, “BJD is the most successful regional party. I have always told that BJD is the most successful socio-economic movement in the country.”

“The history had not seen such a transformation. You are part of transformation and you are also witnessing it. From temples and mutts to college and hospitals, from irrigation and banking to public transportation in villages and development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups, the country is witnessing Odisha’s development,” he said.