Bhubaneswar: After remaining untraceable following BJD’s poll debacle in Odisha, bureaucrat-turned-politician V K Pandian has reportedly been sighted in New Delhi.
According to sources, Pandian took a Vistara flight and landed at Delhi airport around 11.10 pm on Wednesday night. However, it was still not clear as to what will be the next move of Pandian, who happened to be the number two star campaigner of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the 2024 twin elections in the state.
Considered a close aide of BJD president Naveen Patnaik, Pandian has remained away from public notice ever since election results were declared on June 4.
Pandian, who was considered number two in BJD after party supremo Naveen Patnaik, played a key role in the regional party’s election management and campaign.
His assertion about BJD’s big win and Naveen taking oath as CM for record sixth term on June 9 failed as BJP demolished regional party in both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Padian had even announced that he would quit politics if Naveen is not voted for the sixth term. However, he had remained untraced though Naveen has already come to public at least twice after the poll results. Pandian, who used to always accompany him, was not seen alongside him.
No one was aware of his whereabouts. Many guessed that he could be either at Naveen Niwas or Sankha Bhawan, the BJD headquarters in Bhubaneswar.
Pandian In Delhi!
As per sources, Pandian was at Naveen Niwas on Wednesday and he took a Vistara flight to New Delhi on Wednesday night and landed at the airport in the national capital around 11.10 pm. He is stated to be staying in a star hotel. However, no one knows as to why he has proceeded to Delhi at a time when he is being held responsible for BJD’s rout in the just concluded elections. People are keen to know whether he has gone there in connection with BJD’s party work or his own personal and political interest.
Mystery Behind Delhi Visit
Observers are of the view that political reason could be behind Pandian’s visit to Delhi where he may meet top leaders of the BJP-led NDA. BJP had made ‘Odia Asmita’ (Odia Pride) a major poll plank for Odisha elections. Many leaders of the saffron party including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Mone Minister Amit Shah had mounted a scathing attack on Pandian during electioneering. The former IAS officer had also countered PM Modi. Many feel that he may meet top NDA leaders and seek protection. As NDA is set to form government at the Centre again, Pandian may strike an understanding with them to prevent any possible harassment in future. Since BJD has no representation in Lok Sabha, the NDA seeking its support on any issue is ruled out. However, the regional party has its members in Rajya Sabha and he may try to strike a deal with their strength.
Will Pandian Continue In Politics?
Though Pandian had made tall claims about taking political ‘sanyas’ in the run up to the elections, there is every possibility that he will continue in politics. Therefore, he is on a visit to Delhi in a bid to work out a deal on his political future. There is a feeling among the people that BJD had to face crushing defeat because of Pandian and he is likely to encounter a thorny path ahead. He may either try to find his way to Rajya Sabha or remain active in BJD through behind the scene moves. What role he is going to play in BJD will definitely be taken by Naveen. Some are of the opinion that he may also start a political innings in Tamil Nadu after suffering setback in Odisha. All are now curious to know about his activities in Delhi.
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