5T secretary now controls BJD as he has blank party tickets signed by CM Naveen: BJP's Pradip Purohit

The Opposition in Odisha continues with its attack on 5T Secretary VK Pandian who is now visiting several districts and announcing projects in the run-up to the crucial 2024 elections. Senior BJP leader Pradip Purohit on Monday made several explosive statements regarding the state of affairs in the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

“People had voted BJD to power under CM Naveen Patnaik’s leadership. But people are now questioning who is 5T secretary as they had not voted for him. 5T Secretary is a government employee but he is now the face of governance in the state. It is for this reason the BJP is opposing,” said Purohit.

The senior BJP leader further said that his party is not opposing CM Naveen or his ministers’ visit. “Who is 5T Secretary and why is he announcing projects worth lakhs? BJD is not in BJD’s hand, rather it is now under the control of 5T Secretary,” alleged Purohit.

Purohit further said that earlier the 5T Secretary was standing behind the CM and now he is in the front.

Has BJD accepted VK Pandian?

The senior BJP leader said that there is dissidence among BJD leaders but they are not able to express their resentment.

“CM Naveen has already signed on blank party tickets for all Assembly and Lok Sabha seats. The tickets are now with VK Pandian for which the BJD leaders are silent. Till 2024 elections, nobody in BJD will oppose. Even if BJD wins the elections, some other person will sit on CM’s chair here," claimed Purohit.

He further asked, "We fail to understand why the CM is so much helpless. Whatever the 5T Secretary wants, the CM is doing the same."

On the other hand, BJD MLA Parshuram Dhada said, “BJP is in the habit of making allegations. 5T Secretary is also the personal assistant of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik and the allegation that a secretary is in charge of BJD organisation is false and baseless.”

Dhada further said that only Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik hands over tickets to candidates based on winning probability and other aspects. “The allegations that the tickets are with the 5T Secretary are false,” he added.