Amid V K Pandian’s conspicuous absence after poll debacle, BJD defends him | Bhubaneswar News
BHUBANESWAR: With BJD supporters demanding answers from V K Pandian for the BJD’s electoral setback and his absence since the June 4 results, the party on Thursday came to his defence and clarified that he is in New Delhi on the instruction of Naveen Patnaik.
“BJD leader V K Pandian has gone to Delhi on work as per the direction of our party president Naveen Patnaik.There are some misleading and unpleasant media reports on his Delhi tour,” BJD Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra said.
BJD’s statement was aimed at quelling questions surrounding Pandian’s role in the party’s recent performance and his whereabouts post-election. The BJD did not disclose the purpose of Pandian’s sudden visit to Delhi. It also did not clear the air as to why Pandian, who was the BJD’s chief strategist and often conveyed his messages through recorded videos, has not yet reacted to the party’s debacle.
As the BJD grappled with the changed scenario, Naveen held a meeting with defeated MLA and MP candidates at his residence on Thursday. This was the second consecutive day that Naveen held a meeting with party leaders without Pandian by his side.
After the meeting, the leaders avoided questions on Pandian and described Naveen as their one and only leader. Asked whether Naveen has distanced Pandian after the party’s defeat, BJD’s organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das said: It was Naveen babu’s prerogative as to who would remain present in the meeting. Naveen babu is our only leader. He will continue to lead the party.”
Amid buzz whether Pandian offered to resign from the BJD, the party leaders replied in negative. “It is our internal matter. A committee has been formed to look into the reasons for our defeat,” another BJD leader said.
“BJD leader V K Pandian has gone to Delhi on work as per the direction of our party president Naveen Patnaik.There are some misleading and unpleasant media reports on his Delhi tour,” BJD Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra said.
BJD’s statement was aimed at quelling questions surrounding Pandian’s role in the party’s recent performance and his whereabouts post-election. The BJD did not disclose the purpose of Pandian’s sudden visit to Delhi. It also did not clear the air as to why Pandian, who was the BJD’s chief strategist and often conveyed his messages through recorded videos, has not yet reacted to the party’s debacle.
As the BJD grappled with the changed scenario, Naveen held a meeting with defeated MLA and MP candidates at his residence on Thursday. This was the second consecutive day that Naveen held a meeting with party leaders without Pandian by his side.
After the meeting, the leaders avoided questions on Pandian and described Naveen as their one and only leader. Asked whether Naveen has distanced Pandian after the party’s defeat, BJD’s organizational secretary Pranab Prakash Das said: It was Naveen babu’s prerogative as to who would remain present in the meeting. Naveen babu is our only leader. He will continue to lead the party.”
Amid buzz whether Pandian offered to resign from the BJD, the party leaders replied in negative. “It is our internal matter. A committee has been formed to look into the reasons for our defeat,” another BJD leader said.
