Biju Janata Dal with another setback after loss in election; Naveen Patnaik's right-hand man VK Pandian quits active politics; video released

BHUBANESWAR: Biju Janata Dal leader and former IAS officer VK Pandian is quitting active politics after suffering a heavy defeat in Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. Pandian is known as the right-hand man of BJD leader and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"My intent of joining politics was only, only to assist Naveen Babu, and now consciously I decide to withdraw myself from active politics. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone in this journey. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play in BJD's loss. I apologise to the entire Biju Parivar, including all the party workers for this," says BJD leader VK Pandian in a video message released on Sunday.

VK Pandian resigned from civil service and joined BJD last year. The BJP's campaign had accused Pandian of being the leader of the BJD's campaign in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha. BJP used to ask in the campaign meetings whether a person from outside Odisha should be the chief minister of the state. The opposition had accused that it was Pandian and not Naveen Patnaik who was campaigning in Odisha.

#WATCH | 5T Chairman & BJD leader VK Pandian says, "...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 BJD's loss..."

(Source: BJD) pic.twitter.com/Hf1stid8Gn

— ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2024