Close Aide Of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik And Ex-IAS Officer VK Pandian Joins Ruling BJD

Former bureaucrat VK Pandian on Monday joined Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's party Biju Janta Dal (BJD).

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian joins BJD. ( Image Source :X (@ANI) )

A month after taking voluntary retirement, former IAS officer V Karthikeyan Pandian, who is also a close aide of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, joined the ruling Biju Janta Dal (BJD) on Monday. The former bureaucrat formally joined the part in the presence of the chief minister, ministers, lawmakers and senior BJD leaders, reported ANI. The 2000-batch IAS officer had taken voluntary retirement from government service on October 23 this year.

Within the next 24 hours, he was appointed as the chairman of the state's flagship 5T (transformational initiative) and Navin (new) Odisha scheme in the rank of a cabinet minister to work directly under the chief minister. According to PTI, Pandian sparked several controversies and was accused of violating the service rule as well. He joined the Chief Minister’s Office in 2011 and has since been Patnaik’s private secretary. 

Visuals of former IAS officer VK Pandian in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Pandian, a close aide of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, joined the BJD earlier today. pic.twitter.com/KCGZ2q9vYD

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 27, 2023

He made headlines when he took voluntary retirement from service and was later raised to the rank of cabinet minister by CM Patnaik withing a day.

"Shri V K Pandian is hereby appointed as Chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) and Nabin Odisha in the rank of Cabinet Minister. Pandian shall work directly under the Chief Minister," the General Administration and Public Grievance Department said. The development comes a few months before the Lok Sabha elections as BJD tries to firm its grip on the state.

#WATCH | On former IAS officer VK Pandian joining the party, BJD MP Sasmit Patra in Bhubaneswar says, "...I believe with his strong leadership and strength BJD will continue to grow." pic.twitter.com/VDAUjbvn4X

— ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2023

BJD MP Sasmit Patra said that Pandian joining the party would strengthen the BJP. "...I believe with his strong leadership and strength BJD will continue to grow," he said.