Bhubaneswar: In a major political development in Odisha, former bureaucrat V Karthikeyan Pandian, who had served Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for more than 12 years as his private secretary, formally joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday.
Pandian went to Naveen Niwas, sought the blessings of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, and joined the party in the presence of several senior party leaders.
Patnaik welcomed Pandian to the Biju Janata Dal and said his long administrative experience will help the party in a big way.
The former bureaucrat, who was holding the position of 5T secretary and private secretary to the Chief Minister, took VRS from his service on October 23. He was appointed Chairman of 5T and ‘Nabin Odisha’ in the rank of Cabinet Minister by the Chief Minister soon after his VRS from the Indian civil services.
An IAS officer of the 2000 batch,Pandian started his career in Odisha as a sub-collector in Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district and later served as a collector in Mayurbhanj and Ganjam districts.
He joined as the private secretary to the Chief Minister in 2011 and served the post until he opted for VRS.
The opposition BJP and Congress have criticised Pandian for his “role” in attending several public meetings and functions in the state and have asked him to quit his IAS job if he is keen to join politics.
Several senior BJD leaders have welcomed Pandian and said he will be a big asset for the party, and his vast experience in the administration will certainly strengthen the BJD.
Now all eyes are on what responsibility will be given to the party by the Chief Minister in view of the 2024 Assembly elections in the state.
