Naveen Patnaik’s aide Pandian quits politics

BJD leader VK Pandian quits active politics. Pic/PTI

Odisha's outgoing chief minister Naveen Patnaik's close aide and senior BJD leader V K Pandian on Sunday announced his withdrawal from active politics in wake of the regional party's defeat in the Lok Sabha and assembly polls.

In a video message, bureaucrat-turned-politician said, "Now I consciously decide to withdraw myself from active politics. I am sorry if I have hurt anyone in this journey. I am sorry if this campaign narrative against me has had a part to play the Biju Janata Dal's loss. My apologies to the entire Biju Parivaar including all the ‘karmis' for this."

Pandian said his only intention to join politics was to assist Patnaik. BJP stormed to power in Odisha, ending the 24-year rule of the BJD, by winning 78 seats in the 147-member Assembly.

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