Bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s close aide has decided to step back from active politics following the party’s defeat in the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly Elections.
In a video message released on June 9, Pandian announced, “I have decided to withdraw from active politics. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone on this journey. I am sorry of this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play in BJD’s loss. My apologies to the entire Biju Parivaar, including all the ‘karmis’.”
Pandian stated that his sole purpose in joining politics was to support Mr. Patnaik, which is why he did not contest the elections. He added, “I will always keep Odisha at the core of my heart and my Guru Naveen Babu in my breath.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved a significant victory, securing 78 seats in the 178-member Odisha Assembly, while the BJD managed to win only 51 seats. Additionally, the BJP swept 20 out of 21 seats in the State in the Lok Sabha elections.
Mr. Pandian has faced criticism for the party’s electoral defeat.
