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BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has once again defended VK Pandian while rubbishing a report published in a national media. Taking to his official X handle, Patnaik termed the report false, defamatory and malicious.
As per the report published in a national daily, it has been claimed that VK Pandian, through a Cabinet minister holding multiple portfolios, has been trying to get an appointment with Amit Shah.
“Pandian has visited Delhi several times over the last few weeks but has not been able to meet Shah. He has conveyed to the BJP leadership that he could split the BJD and help the BJP grow in Odisha,” the national daily reported citing sources.
The report further claimed that Pandian has offered to help the BJP improve its support base in Odisha.
While responding to this, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik today tweeted, “This is completely false, motivated, defamatory and malicious. As I have stated earlier Mr Pandian has served the state and party with utmost dedication efficiency and integrity and he is known and respected for the same."
It is not the first time that Patnaik has come in defence of Pandian who was earlier in the eye of the storm following the party’s poll debacle.
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Senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty said, “The way Odisha BJP leadership are adopting a soft stance against BJD and visiting Naveen Niwas, it is giving a different indication. There are two sides to the English daily report. For the BJD chief, Pandian’s role is important and under scanner as well. After Pyari Mohapatra, Naveen Patnaik became very dependent on Pandian. Now, it is clear that Patnaik needs someone to discharge his role as LoP. There seems to be some agreement between the two parties.”
The national media report further claimed that BJD has 9 members in Rajya Sabha and BJP needs its support for the upcoming elections for President and Vice-President of India.
The BJP leadership, however, appears to have decided to side with BJD chief and not entertain Pandian for now.
When contacted about whether BJP needs BJD’s support in Rajya Sabha for which the party is going soft, BJP’s Jayanarayan Mishra said, “A lot of things were said when the BJP was in the Opposition including that BJP and BJD are one. Now BJP is the ruling party and the same thing is now being said. I have no idea which party is inclining toward whom. But one thing is clear BJD’s days are numbered.
Responding to Jayanarayan Mishra’s statements, BJD’s Pramila Mallik said, “The BJP leader should quit politics and open an astrology shop and then predict whose days are numbered.”
Later in the day " National English daily tendered an unconditional apology citing that the " The source-based information has since been denied by both sides and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik as contrary to fact, and we are therefore retracting the said item unconditionally, with due apologies. We have also learnt that no central minister has met or spoken to Mr V.K. Pandian. We stand corrected and regretful."
