VK Pandian has not retired from politics forever; it's just an eyewash: BJP 

BJP leader Arindam Roy on Monday launched a broadside against VK Pandian alleging that the latter's claim of retirement from active politics is nothing but an eyewash. 

“People have misinterpreted what he (VK Pandian) said. He has said that he wouldn’t contest the general elections 2024. It doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t contest any by-election or any other elections,” said Roy. 

Also Read | VK Pandian Retires from Active Politics, Seeks Apology from BJD Workers

Refereeing to his video statement issued on June 9, the actor-turned-politician further took a swipe at former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s close aide. “In his video statement, he has not said that he is taking retirement from politics forever. He has said that he is taking retirement from active politics. It means he will continue to do what he has been doing during all these days, but from behind the scenes.”

“Today, as the BJP is going to form its government in Odisha, BJD’s youth leaders are being critical of him. Days ago, two months to be precise, they were falling on themselves to take selfies with him (VK Pandian). There was a time when the party’s leaders were moving along Bobby babu. The scenario suddenly changed with the entry of VK Pandian and they started moving along Pandian,” he added.