A local leader of the Congress party has made an explosive statement about 5T Chairman VK Pandian accusing the latter of conspiring to become the Chief Minister of Odisha.
The allegations were made by the Congress’ Bolangir district president Dilip Behera.
Addressing a press conference, Behera asked while there are many skilled IAS officers in the State, why was Pandian made Chairperson of 5T and Mo Odisha Nabin Odisha project.
He further alleged that both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are hand in glove and trying to make Pandian the CM.
“Even before he opted for VRS, Pandian was working like the president of the ruling BJD. After his voluntary retirement, he made his intentions clear by joining as the 5T Chairman.
Responding to the statement, Bolangir BJD’s working president Ashok Mohanty said, “This is a false statement. Pandian Babu was the 5T Secretary and served the people of Odisha when he was in service. He continued serving people after his retirement too. Even Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has put his trust in him.”
“He (Pandian) has not even joined the BJD. How can they say he is going to be the Chief Minister. The allegations do not have any basis,” Mohanty added.
IAS V Karthikeyan Pandian took voluntary retirement from service after his request was approved by the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions on October 23.
A day after his VRS request was accepted, Pandian was appointed as Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives) and Nabin Odisha in the rank of Cabinet Minister.
Some observers believed that the retired IAS officer may be the successor of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik.