Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik expressed his disappointment at the criticism directed towards his aide, V K Pandian, following the party’s defeat in the Odisha assembly elections, saying that Pandian did an “excellent job”. He also clarified that Pandian was not his successor and asserted that the people of Odisha would determine it.
His statement comes amid a section of party leaders and workers expressing resentment against Pandian, a bureaucrat-turned-politician hailing from Tamil Nadu, following the party’s poll debacle.
Speaking to PTI Video, “There has been some criticism of Pandian. This is unfortunate. He joined the party and has not held any post. He did not contest the elections from any constituency. I have always clearly said when asked about my successor that it is not Pandian. I repeat again that the people of Odisha will decide my successor.”
“As an officer, he (Pandian) did an excellent job in different fields in the last 10 years, be it during two cyclones or the COVID-19 pandemic. After this good work, he retired from the bureaucracy and joined the BJD and contributed largely by doing an excellent work. He is a person of integrity and honesty and should be remembered for that,” Patnaik said.
Asked about his health, Naveen Patnaik said that he is keeping well.
“I want to say that my health has always been fine and will continue to be so. You have seen that I conducted hectic campaigning last month in the heat. And that should be enough to give a verdict on my health,” he said.
Reflecting on the party’s defeat in the assembly polls, Patnaik said that despite the setback, the party have consistently strived and achieved much to be proud of in both government and party. He also stressed the importance of gracefully accepting the people’s verdict in a democracy, reaffirming his commitment to serve the people of Odisha.
The BJP stormed to power in Odisha, ending the 24-year rule of the BJD, by winning 78 seats in the 147-member assembly. In the assembly elections, the BJP secured 78 seats, while the BJD won 51, the Congress 14, and the CPI (M) one. Three Independent nominees emerged victorious. However, the BJD failed to secure any Lok Sabha seats, with the BJP winning 20 and the Congress one.