Former IAS officer and close aide of Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, V.K. Pandian, on Friday made it clear that he would not contest the 2024 general elections but work as a dedicated soldier of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) under the leadership of Naveen to ensure that the party comfortably wins the election.

After he took voluntary retirement in October, he was made the chairman of Nabin Odisha (welfare scheme) and 5 T (Transformational Initiatives) and given the cabinet minister rank by Naveen. After Pandian joined the BJD on November 27, there had been speculation that he would contest the next election either from Ganjam or Kalahandi district.

BJD vice–president Debi Prasad Mishra said: “There was a rumour that Pandian would contest the election. But Pandian himself put an end to all the speculation and made it clear that he won’t contest.”

Pandian made the announcement while attending the BJD’s Extended State Executive Committee meeting at the party office. It was the first time Pandian attended the BJD’s executive meeting. Sources said Pandian’s announcement would ensure that the malice campaign targeting him would end. There are many who don’t want a non-Odia to succeed Naveen.

The party also pledged that it would work to ensure that Naveen becomes the chief minister of the state for the sixth time in a row.

At the meeting, the BJD renewed the demand for the grant of special category status to Odisha while targeting the Centre for ignoring its objections on the Polavaram dam in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and the unfair constructions over Mahanadi by Chhattisgarh.

The political resolution passed at the meet said that Odisha deserved special category status and should at least be treated as a special focus state. The party also decided to intensify its campaign on social media.

Addressing the meeting, Naveen said: “The BJD is the most successful regional party. But I continue to maintain that the BJD is the most successful socio-economic movement in the country.”

He added: “History has never witnessed such a big transformation. You are part of the transformation and you are also witnessing it. Odisha is witnessing development in all sectors.”

Odisha extends free rice scheme

The Odisha government has extended the duration of the State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) by another five years.

Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will continue to get 5kg of free rice per person for another five years.

The chief minister’s Office (CMO) in a media release said: “The state government will spend Rs 1,250 crore from its resources in the next five years at the rate of Rs 250 crore per year.”

A total of 9,97,055 people from 3,14,923 families of the state have been covered under the State Food Security Scheme.

According to the CMO media release, the beneficiaries will avail this benefit from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028.