VK Pandian has a firm “backdoor entry” in running Odisha, alleged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Additionally, he posed multiple questions, including whether Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik personally signs any files or if Pandian uses the CM’s digital signature.
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments followed an interview where Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik told ANI that the successor would be decided by the people of the State.
“I have watched Naveen Babu’s interview to ANI, which was specifically intended to allay our concerns. Unfortunately, his well-rehearsed answers have ended up raising more questions. Naveen Babu was unable to answer why Pandian is the only person seen with him, either holding his mike or controlling his hands,” CM Himanta posted on X.
Himanta Sarma stated that Patnaik failed to assure the people of Odisha that Pandian would not be his successor. “Naveen Babu’s successor is immaterial, as Pandian already has a firm backdoor entry in running Odisha. He has pervasive control over the CM and Nabin Niwas. Naveen Babu failed to assure the people of Odisha that this will change,” he asserted.
The BJP leader further questioned why ministers and bureaucrats have “no direct access” to the Chief Minister. “Does the Chief Minister physically sign any file, or does Mr. Pandian use his digital signature? Where is the key to Mahaprabhu’s Ratna Bhandar? These are among the several questions that remain unanswered,” he added.
Himanta Sarma also commented on Patnaik’s response regarding his potential continuation if the BJD wins. “When asked, in the unlikely event of BJD winning, will Naveen Babu continue for 5 years? His reply lacked a decisive yes. Either Pandian has already selected the successor or, more likely, even Naveen Babu knows the BJP is winning hands down,” he said.
In his interview, Patnaik clarified that the future of his party and his successor will be decided by the people. “I have said repeatedly that the successor will be decided by the people of the state. That is the natural result of these things. They see how the party is being run and the party is being run for the service of the people of Odisha and will continue to do so,” he added.
The assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha are taking place simultaneously, in four phases, from May 13 to June 1, with the counting of votes on June 4. Naveen Patnaik, 77, has been serving as the Chief Minister of Odisha since 2000 and is the second-longest serving CM of any Indian State. He is seeking a record sixth term in power.
In the last assembly elections in 2019, the BJD won 112 out of 146 seats, while the BJP won 23, and Congress got nine. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished second with 8, and Congress secured one seat.
