Power Show? Odisha govt employees throng Naveen Niwas to meet VK Pandian!

The huge rush of government employees at Naveen Niwas to extend wishes to VK Pandian on his appointment as the chairman of 5T and Nabin Odisha has given rise to several questions. 

After politicians, it was the turn of the government officials and members of several service associations of Odisha government, who turned up in huge numbers to wish Pandian at Naveen Niwas. 

However, many were quick to question - Why Naveen Niwas was chosen as the venue? Who allowed them to meet Pandian at Naveen Niwas? Is it a well-planned power show?

Meanwhile, speculations are rife that in the coming days, he may be at the helm of affairs in the Naveen Patnaik-led government.

Also read: Questions galore over VK Pandian’s VRS; was it to avoid Central training?

“VK Pandian will no longer work as a government officer. Since the Chief Minister has faith in him, he (Pandian) may have access to the government files. But he has no right to go through any government files,” said Rabi Das, a senior journalist. 

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP ) and the Congress intensified their attacks on the ruling dispensation. 

“He has hijacked the entire system. He got the appointment he had been wishing for. This is termed a ‘soft landing in politics’. It is an injustice towards the BJD leaders and workers,” said BJP’s Bhubaneswar MP, Aparajita Sarangi. 

Similarly, OPCC chief Sarat Pattanayak said, “People of Odisha can’t sit idle. Odia people have the right to rule over Odisha. Outsiders don’t have that right. They can never be allowed to rule Odisha. To ensure this, we can do everything.  We are ready to fight. We are ready to take to the streets.”

Taking the side of his government, BJD MLA Sashi Bhusan Behera said, “Those two parties are competing with each other. They are nowhere near the BJD. If Aparajita (Sarangi) is saying, she should take the matter up with the central government.”