Naveen Patnaik Defends Aide Amid Criticism, Rejects Successor Speculation
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has for the first time responded to criticism of his close aide VK Pandian following the party’s debacle in the recently held state assembly polls. Patnaik asserted that Pandian is a person of integrity and honesty, and should be remembered for that.
Patnaik, who missed out on becoming chief minister for the sixth time, said that Pandian did an ‘excellent job’. Pandian, a bureaucrat-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu, has been blamed by many, including party workers, for BJD’s poor performance in the assembly elections.
Accepting defeat in the assembly polls, Patnaik said he would continue to serve the people of the state in whichever way possible. In the recently held assembly polls, BJP won 78 of 147 seats, ending the 24-year rule of the BJD. The Patnaik-led party bagged 51 seats, while the Congress won 14 constituencies.
Patnaik reiterated that Pandian was not his successor and that the people of Odisha would decide who his successor would be. ‘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,’ Patnaik told PTI Video.
The former chief minister added that he has always clearly said when asked about my successor that it is not Pandian. ‘I repeat that the people of Odisha will decide my successor,’ he added.
Patnaik also praised Pandian for his excellent work as an officer in different fields in the last 10 years, be it during two cyclones or the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing concerns about his health, Patnaik stated, ‘On my health condition I want to say that my health has always been fine and will continue to be so. You have seen that I conducted a hectic campaign last month in the heat. And that should be enough to give a verdict on my health.’
