VK Pandian not to contest 2024 Assembly polls

• Senior BJD leader and former minister Debi Prasad Mishra made a statement regarding the development.

Bhubaneswar: Chairman VK Pandian of 5T and Nabin Odisha, will not fight in the upcoming 2024 Assembly Elections. Senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra made a statement related to this development. Mishra said that that VK Pandian’s focus will be on working towards Naveen Patnaik’s bid for a sixth term as Chief Minister of Odisha.

 Instead of contesting, Pandian will actively contribute to the BJD as a dedicated member, engaging in public service, as communicated during the BJD State Executive Meeting by Mishra. On November 27, 2023, VK Pandian formally joined the BJD in the presence of Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik and other party leaders. Pandian had previously taken Voluntary Retirement (VRS) from his role as Secretary to the Odisha CM in October. Shortly after retiring, he was appointed as the Chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha by the Odisha Government.