In a rare public address, Naveen Patnaik, the president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and former Chief Minister of Odisha, stepped in to defend his close aide VK Pandian, who has faced criticism from within the party.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Patnaik praised Pandian’s contributions to both the state and the BJD, emphasizing that the former bureaucrat, who left the party 10 months ago, should not be a target of criticism.
Patnaik’s comments come at a time when the BJD is grappling with internal dissent following its significant defeat in the 2024 Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, which ended Patnaik’s 24-year tenure as Chief Minister. VK Pandian, a Tamil-origin IAS officer who joined the BJD in November 2023 after serving as Patnaik’s private secretary, was often seen as the veteran leader’s potential successor. However, his non-Odia identity became a focal point of the BJP’s campaign, labelling him an “outsider,” which many believe contributed to the BJD’s electoral rout. Pandian announced his exit from active politics in June 2024, taking responsibility for the party’s loss.
“VK Pandian worked tirelessly for the people of Odisha and the BJD. He left the party 10 months ago, and I believe he should not be criticized now,” Patnaik said, addressing reporters from ANI and PTI. He also expressed disapproval of party leaders holding meetings in hotels and private residences instead of at Sankha Bhawan, the BJD’s headquarters in Bhubaneswar. “Such meetings should happen at the party office to ensure transparency and unity,” he added, signalling a push for organizational discipline as the BJD seeks to regroup.
Patnaik also clarified the status of ex-MLA Prabhat Tripathy, who has been expelled from the BJD. Tripathy, a former Odisha chief whip, was arrested by the CBI in 2014 for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore Artha Tatwa chit fund scam, a case that rocked Odisha’s political landscape. “Prabhat Tripathy does not belong to the BJD anymore. He was expelled, and in the chit-fund case, he even went to jail,” Patnaik stated, distancing the party from the controversial figure.
The BJD, founded by Naveen Patnaik in 1997, has been a dominant force in Odisha politics, focusing on infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, and welfare programs during Patnaik’s long tenure as CM. However, the 2024 election loss to the BJP has exposed cracks within the party, with some leaders openly questioning Pandian’s role and influence.
Political analysts suggest that Patnaik’s defence of Pandian and his call for unity are aimed at quelling internal rebellion and reasserting his leadership.
As the BJD navigates its new role as the opposition, Patnaik’s leadership will be crucial in rebuilding the party’s image and preparing for future electoral battles. For now, his message is clear: unity and discipline must take precedence over internal criticism and factionalism.
