Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik’s close aide V.K. Pandian on Sunday announced that he was retiring from active politics.

Pandian had earlier claimed that he would take “sanyas” if the BJD was not voted to power in Odisha.

Pandian earned the wrath of BJD leaders and workers after the party suffered a shock defeat. The BJD was completely routed in the Lok Sabha election and failed to win a single seat out of 21. Even its tally in the Assembly election was reduced to 51 from 113 seats in 2019.

On the other hand, the BJP improved its tally from eight to 20 in the Lok Sabha and won 78 Assembly seats.

In a video message, Pandian said: “My intent of joining politics was only to assist Naveen Babu and now consciously I decide to withdraw myself from active politics. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone on this journey. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play in the BJD’s loss. I apologise to the entire Biju Parivar, including all the karmees (party workers) for this.”

The bureaucrat-turned-politician added: “I will always keep Odisha in the core of my heart and my guru, Naveen Babu, in my breath and pray to Lord Jagannath for their wellbeing and prosperity.”

During the campaign, Pandian had said: “You (BJP) say that there is BJP wave and wave for a change in Odisha, but I strongly say that if the chief minister (Naveen Babu) does not become CM again, I will take sanyas from politics.”

The BJP had projected Pandian as an “outsider” and linked his influence on the BJD and the state administration with the issue of “Odia Asmita” or Odia pride.

The blue-eyed boy of Naveen also recounted how he came from a very small village and a humble family and how his childhood dream was to join the IAS and serve the people. “Lord Jagannath made it happen. Because of my family’s roots in Kendrapara, I came to Odisha. From the day I set foot on the soil of Odisha, I received immense love and respect from the people of the state. I have tried to work very hard for the people.”

Pandian’s wife Sujata R. Karthikeyan hails from
Kendrapara.