Finance
VK Pandian, the Chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha and a former IAS officer, joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Today. After a meeting of the party’s senior leaders at Naveen Niwas this morning, party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made the announcement.
Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik welcomed Pandian into the party, saying, “For a number of years Pandian has been working hard for the people of Odisha and he will continue to do so in the future as a member of the party.”
After joining the party, Pandian said, “With the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and under the guidance of the Chief Minister, I will work for the people of the state with sincerity, dedication, and in a humble manner.”
Pandian also sought the cooperation of all party leaders.
” Today our party supremo and Odisha CM Naven Patnaik officially inducted VK Pandian into the BJD. Pandian took Naveen Patnaik’s blessing after this. Speaking to the senior leaders Naveen Patnaik said that just like Pandian had served the people of Odisha as a bureaucrat he would continue to do the same while in the BJD. He will work towards taking forward Naveen Patnaik’s vision for the development of Odisha forward” Debi Mishra senior leader of the BJD told ANI.
Announcing Pandian’s formal entry to BJD, Puri MP Pinaki Mishra said, “VK Pandian joined the BJD with the blessings of party chief Naveen Patnaik, who exuded confidence that he would bring success to the party just as he did for the administration. We all senior leaders are happy with his joining. The party will immensely benefit from his administrative and political experience.”
With Naveen preparing to seek votes for a sixth term, Pandian is likely to be given a prominent role in the party. “He joined the party today. His role will be announced soon,” Pinaki added.
Pandian, a 2000-batch IAS officer, previously served as the Private Secretary (5T) to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik before resigning from government service on October 23, 2023. The following day, the Chief Minister named Pandian as Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives) and Nabin Odisha.
Pandian’s decision to join the BJD is significant in light of the upcoming general elections in 2024. It comes at a time when the BJD is attempting to revitalize party organization in several areas.
Pandian pay a visit to the Taratarini Shrine in Ganjam district today to seek the Goddess’ blessings. He arrived in Taratarini in the afternoon to see the deity.
