Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma has shared a video and again expressed his deep concern over his Odisha Counterpart Naveen Patnaik and the apparent influence wielded by VK Pandian, close aide and a retired bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu, over him.
In the video, VK Pandian appears to be guiding and controlling the shivering hand of Naveen Patnaik, who was addressing a rally. It prompted CM Himanta to express his deep unease about the level of control being exerted.
“This is a deeply distressing video. VK Pandian is even controlling the hand movements of Naveen Babu. I shudder to imagine the level of control a retired ex-bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu is currently exercising over the future of Odisha!” wrote the Assam CM.
Furthering his point, CM Himanta asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is committed to restoring the power and autonomy of Odisha to its rightful place – in the hands of its people. “BJP is determined to give back the reins of Odisha to the people of the State,” he declared, signalling a call to action for political change and empowerment of local governance.
The BJP leader had previously too alleged that Patnaik was being held captive by Pandian remarking that the latter has effectively captured Patnaik, restricting his ability to interact independently.
CM Himanta insisted that, as a CM, he travels alone, meets people freely, and is accessible to the media. In contrast, he noted that Patnaik is never seen without Pandian by his side. Himanta Sarma further appealed to Patnaik to come out alone to earn people’s respect.
