BJD leader Ashok Panda’s remark on Naveen Patnaik’s political heir sparks debate

After meeting BJD supremo and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to convey New Year greetings on Thursday morning, senior party leader Ashok Panda made a pointed remark that has reignited discussion around Patnaik’s political succession.

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Speaking to the media, Panda said that merely aspiring to be a successor of Naveen Patnaik is a separate matter, but what truly matters is public acceptance. He emphasised that the BJD supremo was accepted by the people of Odisha because people trusted him. He was not chosen by Biju Patnaik.

Panda underlined that whoever is accepted by the people of Odisha will be the one who safeguards the State’s interests. His comments are being seen as a subtle message amid ongoing speculation within political circles about leadership transition in the BJD.

“Had Biju Babu (Biju Patnaik) chosen his (political) heir? Naveen Babu had earlier said here (at Naveen Nivas), if you remember, the people of Odisha will choose my heir. When he himself has already said on this (the issue), why are you (the media) asking more questions? Who wishes to become his heir is something different,” the senior BJD leader said.

“The thing is that people of Odisha had accepted Naveen Patnaik and his father, Biju Patnaik. Many other leaders, such as Utkalmani Gopabandhu, had been accepted by the people in the past. Most importantly, it is the acceptability that matters,” Panda stated.

“Whoever the people of Odisha accept, he/she would be the guardian of the people’s interests. Naveen Patnaik is our leader, and we have been working under his leadership. He is the lone leader of our party,” the senior BJD leader expressed.