VK Pandian Retires From Politics After BJD's Decimation In Odisha
VK Pandian, the former bureaucrat who joined Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and spearheaded its Assembly and Lok Sabha elections campaign this year in Odisha, retired from active politics after the party faced decimation by the hands of a resurgent BJP in the state. The former Odisha cadre IAS officer has also quit BJD. He had joined BJD ahead of Odisha assembly elections after taking voluntary retirement from IAS.
VK Pandian announced his decision to retire from active politics stating that he had consciously decided to withdraw. He expressed regret if he had hurt anyone during his journey and apologized if the campaign narrative against him had contributed to BJD’s loss.
“Now consciously I decide to withdraw myself from active politics. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone on this journey. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play in BJD’s loss,” he said.
In his first reaction after losing the Odisha assembly election, Naveen Patnaik, the outgoing chief minister who missed out on what would have been his sixth consecutive term in office, on Saturday defended his close aide VK Pandian, saying that the bureaucrat-turned-politician was not his successor.
Meanwhile, senior IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan, wife of VK Pandian, has proceeded on childcare leave for a period of six months till November 26. This comes weeks after the Election Commission ordered her transfer from the Mission Shakti department to a “non-public facing department” following a complaint of alleged misuse of public office, lodged by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sujata was granted leave as her minor daughter is appearing for the class 10 examination, said a notification issued by the state general administration department.
The BJP, which won the recently concluded assembly polls in Odisha, had during the campaign lodged multiple complaints accusing her of “actively participating in the elections as BJD’s front person.”
VK Pandian, originally an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has made significant waves in the political landscape of Odisha. Born on May 29, 1974, in Tamil Nadu, Pandian’s career has been marked by his dedication to public service and his ability to navigate complex administrative and political environments.
Pandian completed his education at prestigious institutions, earning a degree in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and later an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his entry into the IAS in 2000, where he quickly demonstrated his capability and commitment to public service.
He served in various capacities, including the Collector of Mayurbhanj and Ganjam districts, where he earned a reputation for being a proactive and people-centric administrator. His work in Ganjam, in particular, received widespread acclaim, as he implemented innovative initiatives to improve the lives of the local populace.
In 2011, Pandian was appointed as the Private Secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, a role that significantly increased his influence in the state’s administration. In this position, he played a crucial role in strategizing and executing various developmental projects and policies that contributed to Odisha’s socio-economic growth. His close association with Patnaik and his effective handling of administrative duties earned him both respect and criticism, with some viewing his influence as a centralizing force in the state government.
In a significant career shift, Pandian transitioned from his bureaucratic role to a political one. His entry into politics was seen as a natural progression, given his deep involvement in the state’s governance and his close working relationship with the Chief Minister.
