'Pandian retires from politics, not from Naveen'

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Monday said that bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian might have announced his retirement from politics, but not from former chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The BJD made this announcement at a press conference addressed by party’s spokespersons Lenin Mohanty and Tambunath Panda.

“The people of Odisha know very well that VK Pandian has announced his retirement from active politics, not from former chief minister Naveen Patnaik. Therefore, there should be no dirty politics about Pandian,” Mohanty told reporters here.

The BJD’s clarification in regard to Pandian came hours after BJP MLA Saroj Padhi made some adverse remarks against the former IAS officer.

Padhi, earlier in the day, had accused Pandian of eyeing the BJD’s fund, the amount of which would be nearly ₹1,000 crore. “Pandian remains glued to Patnaik only for party fund. Therefore, he sidelined many BJD leaders who were once close to Patnaik. His real motive is no longer hidden,” Padhi alleged.

The BJP MLA’s statement sparked a political controversy.