By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: “With the guidance of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, I will work for the people of Odisha in a dedicated, humble and selfless manner,” said VK Pandian after joining the BJD.
After joining the BJD, Pandian also visited Sankha Bhawan, the headquarters of Biju Janata Dal, where he was given a rousing welcome by the party leaders and workers. On the occasion, a blood donation camp was organized by the party at Sankha Bhawan.
During the induction programme, BJD Supremo and CM Naveen Patnaik said, “I welcome Mr Pandian to the Biju Janata Dal. As all of you know, he has been working very hard for several years for the people of our state and he will continue to do so as a member of the party. I wish him all the best.”
Pandian joined the Chief Minister’s Office in 2011 and has since been Patnaik’s private secretary.
“Glad to welcome Shri VK Pandian to @bjd_odisha. He has been working very hard for several years for the people of #Odisha and earned their respect & trust. I am sure Shri Pandian will continue to do so in the future as a member of the party. Wish him all the very best,’ CM Naveen Patnaik said in an X post while sharing a video in which Pandian seen touching the feet of Patnaik and later Party’s Organisational General secretary and MLA Babby Das putting a BJD batch on Pandian’s shirt.
‘ବିଜୁ ଜନତା ଦଳରେ ଯୋଗ ଦେଇଥିବା ଭି.କେ.ପାଣ୍ଡିଆନଙ୍କୁ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ।ଶ୍ରୀଯୁକ୍ତ ପାଣ୍ଡିଆନଙ୍କ ଦୀର୍ଘ ପ୍ରଶାସନିକ ଅଭିଜ୍ଞତା,ଓଡ଼ିଶା ବିକାଶରେ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ସହାୟକ ହେବ।, Minister Priti Ranjan Ghadai said in an X post.
Pandian is scheduled to reach Tara Tarini in the afternoon and have the darshan of the deity. Maa Taratarini Temple has been an important place for VK Pandian since his days as the Collector of Ganjam.
Earlier, VK Pandian joined Naveen Patnaik led BJD in the State. Pandian joined BJD in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other party leaders.
The 2000 batch Odisha cadre IAS officer had recently taken VRS. Earlier in the day, BJD leaders attended a meeting at Naveen Niwas, where the former IAS officer was present. Pandian likely to play a bigger role in BJD ahead of 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
“A historic moment for #Odisha and 4.5 crore Odias. Shri VK Pandian, the Man on a Mission to transform and develop the state with his relentless efforts, has joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) with the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannatha and under the leadership of HCM Shri Naveen Patnaik. A new dawn of development commences in Odisha today. Shri VK Pandian’s presence in the party will strengthen the party at the grassroots level and expedite the development process further. I congratulate him and extend my full support and cooperation to make our state recognised at the global platform,’ BJD MP Manas Mangaraj said in an X post.
