In the eye of storm following poll debacle, Naveen’s key man VK Pandian resigns from BJD
9 months, 1 week ago

In the eye of storm following poll debacle, Naveen’s key man VK Pandian resigns from BJD

Deccan Chronicle  

Bureaucrat-turned-politician V Karthikeyan Pandian, the blue-eyed boy outgoing Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, on Sunday announced his retirement from active politics. Pandian is in the eye of a storm following the Biju Janata Dal’s drubbing defeat of the Biju Janata Dal in the recently concluded 2024 elections. He also termed the ongoing criticisms against Pandian as “unfortunate.” Prior to the 2024 elections, Pandian had announced that he would quit active politics if Naveen Patnaik failed to take oath as Chief Minister for the sixth time. In his video statement, Pandian said, "My aim to join politics was to assist Naveen Patnaik and now consciously I decide to withdraw from active politics.

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History of this topic

Odisha: ‘Sanyasi’ Pandian’s silent bid to return to prominence in BJD creates ripples
2 months ago

Odisha: ‘Sanyasi’ Pandian’s silent bid to return to prominence in BJD creates ripples

Deccan Chronicle  

Bhubaneswar: The political landscape of Odisha, dominated by Biju Janata Dal president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for over two and a half decades, now stands at a crossroads. While the opposition BJP capitalised on the sentiment of “Odia pride,” BJD's leadership failed to connect with voters, leading many to question the wisdom of centralizing power in Pandian’s hands. …

Odisha Probes Pandian’s Costly Helicopter Tours, Promises Action
7 months, 1 week ago

Odisha Probes Pandian’s Costly Helicopter Tours, Promises Action

Deccan Chronicle  

Bhubaneswar: Trouble seems to be lurking for V Karthikeyan Pandian, a Tamil Nadu-born bureaucrat-turned Biju Janata Dal politician who made whirlwind tours on helicopters to different parts of the state between 2020 and 2024 in the pretext of listening to public grievances. On Friday, Odisha transport minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena informed that an investigation into the expenditures on Pandian's whirlwind …

Naveen Patnaik Backs Pandian Again
8 months ago

Naveen Patnaik Backs Pandian Again

Deccan Chronicle  

Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday once again backed BJD leader and his key aide V K Pandian, saying the bureaucrat-turned-politician has served the state and party with utmost dedication efficiency, and integrity, and rejected a media report of a split in his party as "completely false, motivated, defamatory and malicious". He was reacting to the report …

After poll debacle, Pandian says quitting active politics
9 months, 1 week ago

After poll debacle, Pandian says quitting active politics

Hindustan Times  

Bhubaneswar: VK Pandian, former bureaucrat and outgoing Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s close aide, on Sunday announced his withdrawal from “active politics”, five days after the Biju Janata Dal faced a drubbing at the hands of the Bharatiya Janata Party in both the assembly and Lok Sabha elections. “My intent of joining politics was only… only… to assist Naveen babu, …

’My only intent was’: VK Pandian, close aide of Naveen Patnaik, quits active politics after BJD’s defeat in Odisha polls
9 months, 1 week ago

’My only intent was’: VK Pandian, close aide of Naveen Patnaik, quits active politics after BJD’s defeat in Odisha polls

Live Mint  

VK Pandian, the close aide of Naveen Patnaik who joined Biju Janata Dal ahead of the assembly polls, quit active politics on Sunday after the party's defeat in the Odisha elections, and apologised to the entire Biju Parivaar if he had hurt anyone in the journey. The development comes just a day after party supremo and former Odisha CM Naveen …

Naveen Patnaik's aide VK Pandian quits politics after Odisha election drubbing: ‘I am sorry if…’
9 months, 1 week ago

Naveen Patnaik's aide VK Pandian quits politics after Odisha election drubbing: ‘I am sorry if…’

Hindustan Times  

Former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian on Sunday announced retirement from active politics after the Biju Janata Dal suffered an embarrassing defeat in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections. BJD was not only reduced to single Lok Sabha seat in the parliamentary elections, but also lost the assembly polls, ending Naveen Patnaik's 24-years rule in Odisha. …

VK Pandian retires from politics following party's defeat in Odisha elections
9 months, 2 weeks ago

VK Pandian retires from politics following party's defeat in Odisha elections

New Indian Express  

BHUBANESWAR: Bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian, Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik’s closest aide and confidant, on Sunday announced his retirement from active politics in what probably was one of the shortest political careers that lasted just seven months. Five days after the regional party was voted out of power by a mandate that was overwhelmingly in favour of the BJP, Pandian …

‘VK Pandian not my successor’: Naveen Patnaik says people to choose his ‘heir'
9 months, 2 weeks ago

‘VK Pandian not my successor’: Naveen Patnaik says people to choose his ‘heir'

Hindustan Times  

In his first reaction after losing the Odisha assembly election, Naveen Patnaik, the outgoing chief minister who missed out on what would have been his sixth consecutive term in office, on Saturday defended his close aide VK Pandian, saying that the bureaucrat-turned-politician was not his successor. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik along with VK Pandian “The people of Odisha would …

Naveen Patnaik defends Pandian, says he is a person of integrity
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Naveen Patnaik defends Pandian, says he is a person of integrity

Hindustan Times  

Biju Janata Dal president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday defended his close aide VK Pandian amid rising clamour within the party over the latter’s role during the recently concluded Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his close aide VK Pandian. I repeat that the people of Odisha will decide on my …

Blaming V.K. Pandian for BJD’s loss in 2024 elections unfortunate, says party supremo Naveen Patnaik
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Blaming V.K. Pandian for BJD’s loss in 2024 elections unfortunate, says party supremo Naveen Patnaik

The Hindu  

Pandian under fire for Biju Janata Dal’s defeat in 2024 elections, outgoing Chief Minister and party supremo Naveen Patnaik on Saturday came to the defence of his close aide, calling the criticism unfortunate. When asked about reasons behind BJD’s first defeat in past 24 years, Mr. Patnaik said “that is in the people’s hand. People of Odisha will decide my …

'Pandian not my successor, people will decide on this': Outgoing Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
9 months, 2 weeks ago

'Pandian not my successor, people will decide on this': Outgoing Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

India TV News  

Outgoing Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday said that his close aide and BJD leader VK Pandian is not his "successor" adding that the people of the state would decide on this. During a conversation with reporters, Patnaik said, "I would like to say that Mr Pandian has also worked and helped in health, education, sports, and our program …

After poll debacles, BJD leaders make desperate efforts to upkeep Naveen’s brand image
9 months, 2 weeks ago

After poll debacles, BJD leaders make desperate efforts to upkeep Naveen’s brand image

Deccan Chronicle  

Bhubaneswar: Leaders of Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal are now seemingly making desperate attempts to upkeep the brand image of party president and outgoing chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Naveen Babu still rules the hearts of all the Odia people," said BJD leader Pratap Jena. V Karthikeyan Pandian, a Tamil Nadu-born bureaucrat who joined BJP just on the recently held general elections, …

VK Pandian is not my successor, says Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik
9 months, 3 weeks ago

VK Pandian is not my successor, says Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Deccan Chronicle  

BHUBANESWAR: Clearing the air on the gossips in the power corridors that Tamil Nadu-born bureaucrat-turned politician V Karthikeyan Pandian might succeed him, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday said that Pandian is not his successor. The Opposition has been alleging that Pandian has held CM Naveen hostage and no BJD leader or government officials are allowed to meet Naveen …

VK Pandian Exclusive Interview: 'Only the Weak Play Politics Over Religion'
9 months, 3 weeks ago

VK Pandian Exclusive Interview: 'Only the Weak Play Politics Over Religion'

The Quint  

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik is just three months away from becoming the longest serving chief minister in India's history. Originally from Tamil Nadu, the 50-year-old former IAS officer is Patnaik's closest aide whose influence in the state is second only to the CM. However, Pandian took a major decision last year, by quitting the bureaucracy and joining Patnaik's Biju …

All isn’t well with BJD, the blame lies within
10 months, 1 week ago

All isn’t well with BJD, the blame lies within

Hindustan Times  

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s aide and Biju Janata Dal leader VK Pandian believes that the Bharatiya Janata Party may split his party to come to power in the state. With the first phase of elections in Odisha set for May 13, and accepting Pandian’s comments at face value, the question is why the party fears a split now. When …

BJD’s Pandian accuses BJP of trying to break Odisha’s ruling party to grab power
10 months, 2 weeks ago

BJD’s Pandian accuses BJP of trying to break Odisha’s ruling party to grab power

Hindustan Times  

Biju Janata Dal leader VK Pandian on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to break Odisha’s ruling party to grab power. Pandian, who is a key aide to chief minister Naveen Patnaik, criticised BJP’s manifesto for the state polls saying it makes tall but hollow promises. The BJD manifesto will focus on service and development.” He said Dharmendra …

A tireless VK Pandian rallies for an ageing Naveen Patnaik in BJD campaigns. Is it denting Odia pride?
10 months, 2 weeks ago

A tireless VK Pandian rallies for an ageing Naveen Patnaik in BJD campaigns. Is it denting Odia pride?

Hindustan Times  

On some days he is on Instagram holding up Styrofoam cut-outs of a conch, Biju Janata Dal's electoral symbol, urging people of Odisha to vote for the party’s candidates in both Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, which are being held simultaneously. But Pandian is at the centre of a political maelstrom with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior leader Amit …

VK Pandian's bureaucrat wife transferred after misuse of public office complaint
10 months, 2 weeks ago

VK Pandian's bureaucrat wife transferred after misuse of public office complaint

India Today  

The Election Commission on Thursday ordered the immediate transfer of senior Odisha bureaucrat Sujata R Kartikeyan, wife of BJD leader V K Pandian, to a non-public dealing department, hours after BJP's complaint of alleged misuse of public office, sources said. The sources said Kartikeyan was shunted out with immediate effect following complaints of alleged misuse of public office. The BJP …

Odisha BJP targets Pandian, slams BJD’s ‘misrule and misdeed’
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Odisha BJP targets Pandian, slams BJD’s ‘misrule and misdeed’

The Hindu  

The Odisha BJP trained its guns on V.K. Pandian, a close aide of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, as it launched a blistering attack on the Biju Janata Dal government by unveiling a catalogue of the administration’s ‘misrule and misdeed’. The BJP on Wednesday released an Odia booklet, titled ‘25 years’ box of sins’ levelling charges of corruption, misgovernance, anti-farmer …

VK Pandian Removed From The Odisha CMO’s Officials List
11 months, 1 week ago

VK Pandian Removed From The Odisha CMO’s Officials List

Deccan Chronicle  

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday said the name of VK Pandian, the 5T initiative chairman, has been removed from the list of officials in Chief Minister’s Office, Odisha, following a complaint lodged by the BJP with the Election Commission of India. In a press release, BJP spokesman Anil Biswal said on April 4, his party had raised objection to …

V.K. Pandian, close aide of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, won’t contest elections in 2024: BJD
1 year, 3 months ago

V.K. Pandian, close aide of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, won’t contest elections in 2024: BJD

The Hindu  

Putting all speculation to rest, V.K. Pandian, a close aide of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, on December 15 told the Biju Janata Dal that he would not contest the Lok Sabha election or the Assembly election next year. After Mr. Pandian joined the BJD in November, there were rumours that the former IAS officer would contest elections. “At the …

PROFILE | V.K. Pandian: Odisha’s Chief Minister-in-waiting?
1 year, 3 months ago

PROFILE | V.K. Pandian: Odisha’s Chief Minister-in-waiting?

The Hindu  

Published : Dec 14, 2023 11:00 IST - 7 MINS READ IAS officer V.K. “With the guidance of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, I will work for the people of Odisha in a dedicated, humble, and selfless manner,” Pandian said after joining the BJD. Pandian formally joined the Biju Janata Dal in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and senior …

Naveen Patnaik's political heir VK Pandian formally joins BJD: Read how an IAS officer from Tamil Nadu rose to prominence in Odisha politics
1 year, 3 months ago

Naveen Patnaik's political heir VK Pandian formally joins BJD: Read how an IAS officer from Tamil Nadu rose to prominence in Odisha politics

Op India  

Retired IAS officer VK Pandian has formally joined the Biju Janata Dal, Naveen Patnaik’s party that has been ruling Odisha for over 20 years now. VK Pandian, retired IAS officer & former secretary to #Odisha CM, joins BJD; Pandian resigned from his IAS job in October and subsequently, he was appointed chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha programmes in the …

Day after quitting IAS, Odisha Chief Minister’s aide V.K. Pandian takes up key roles
1 year, 4 months ago

Day after quitting IAS, Odisha Chief Minister’s aide V.K. Pandian takes up key roles

The Hindu  

Odisha politics, otherwise dubbed quiet and monotonous for 25 years of domination by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, is set for an exciting and raucous phase as the CM’s long-time private secretary V.K. Mr. Pandian, no stranger in Odisha’s public life, has served as the private secretary to Odisha CM for 12 years accounting more than half of his entire service …

The rise of VK Pandian, from an IAS officer to Naveen Patnaik's right-hand man
1 year, 4 months ago

The rise of VK Pandian, from an IAS officer to Naveen Patnaik's right-hand man

India Today  

Former bureaucrat VK Pandian joined Odisha Chief Minister's Naveen Patnaik's party, the Biju Janata Dal, on Monday. Reports say during his posting in Ganjam, Pandian became close to Chief Minister Patnaik and has served as his private secretary since 2011. After Patnaik became the chief minister for the fifth time in 2019, Pandian was given the additional responsibility of the …

V.K. Pandian, Odisha’s influential bureaucrat
1 year, 8 months ago

V.K. Pandian, Odisha’s influential bureaucrat

The Hindu  

June 29, 2023 12:15 am | Updated 12:49 am IST Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s most trusted bureaucrat, V.K. Recently, based on a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Aparajita Sarangi and BJP State President Manmohan Samal, the Department of Personnel and Training urged the Odisha Chief Secretary to address Mr. Pandian’s alleged violations of The All India Services Rules. …

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