Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 (UNI) Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday sent a clear message to party leaders not to criticise V.K. Pandian, who was once seen as his closest aide within the party.
Patnaik’s statement came amid criticism from some party leaders, who held Pandian responsible for the last-minute decision asking BJD Rajya Sabha members to vote on the Waqf Amendment Bill according to their conscience.
While senior leaders have urged the BJD president to clarify the party’s stand on the Waqf Amendment Bill and take action against those tarnishing the party’s secular image, veteran leader Pravat Tripathy went a step further by calling Pandian a liability for the BJD.
Tripathy also remarked that although some may support Pandian due to personal gains, a large section of party leaders are unwilling to accept his leadership.
Responding to Tripathy’s statement, Patnaik clarified that Pravat Tripathy is no longer a member of the BJD, having been expelled following his indictment in the chit fund scam, which led to his imprisonment for more than a year.
Patnaik further said that Pandian had contributed significantly not only to the state but also to the party.
He emphasised that Pandian should not be criticised, as he left the party ten months ago and is no longer associated with any party work.
This is not the first time the BJD supremo has stood by Pandian despite internal resentment.
Pandian, who served as Patnaik’s private secretary for twelve years, resigned from the IAS and joined the BJD shortly before the 2024 general elections, actively campaigning for the party.
On June 8, 2024, Patnaik had also dismissed the discontent among some party leaders and workers as “unfortunate”, stating that Pandian had done a great deal of good work for the state.
Political observers believe Patnaik’s latest statement is a direct response to the party’s lone Muslim MP, Munna Khan, who, along with his supporters, met the BJD chief to express strong resentment over the party’s U-turn on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Supporters of Munna Khan raised slogans like “Go back, Pandian” and “Leave Odisha, Pandian” outside Naveen Niwas, blaming Pandian for the party’s last-minute decision on the Bill.
Patnaik also issued a stern message to senior party leaders, instructing them not to hold meetings in star hotels in the state capital.
Disapproving of such gatherings, he reminded them that the party has a spacious office, Sankha Bhawan, and advised them to conduct all meetings there instead of in hotels.
