VK Pandian Is 'Not My Successor': BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik Calls Close Aide's Criticism 'Unfortunate'

Notably, Naveen Patnaik's statement came amid a section of party leaders and workers expressing resentment against Pandian following the party's poll defeat. 

BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on Saturday reiterated that his aide V.K. Pandian, a bureaucrat-turned-politician from Tamil Nadu, was not his successor, stressing that the people of Odisha would decide his successor. He further stated that criticism of Pandian for the party's defeat in the state Assembly elections was unfortunate. He said that Pandian did an "excellent job". 

Patnaik said he gracefully accepted defeat in the recent assembly elections and would continue to serve the people of the state in any way possible.

Speaking to PTI Video, Patnaik said, "There has been some criticism of Pandian. This is unfortunate. He joined the pasty and had not held any post. He did not contest 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," Patnaik told PTI. 

"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 excellent work. He is a person of integrity and honesty should be remembered for that," Patnaik added. 

Notably, his statement came amid a section of party leaders and workers expressing resentment against Pandian following the party's poll defeat. 

Regarding his health, Patnaik said, "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."

Commenting on the party's defeat in the assembly polls, he said, "I think we have always tried and done an excellent job. We have much to be proud of in our government and the party. In a democracy, you either win or lose. So having been defeated after a long time, we must always take the verdict of the people of Odisha are my family. I will continue to serve them in whichever way I can". 

The BJP gained power in Odisha, ending the BJD's 24-year rule, by winning 78 seats in the 147-member assembly. The Patnaik-led BJD secured 51 seats, while the Congress won 14, and CPI(M) secured one. Three independent candidates also emerged victorious. The BJD did not win any Lok Sabha seats in the state, with the BJP winning 20 and the Congress one.