Bhubaneswar: 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman VK Pandian did not rule out the possibility of an electoral alliance between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha saying, “If anything happens we will all get to know.”
Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2024 on Tuesday, Pandian said, “Whatever talks have been held between the two parties were not to win elections or have an impact on the electoral math. It is something beyond elections. Neither the BJD need the BJP to win for the sixth successive term in Odisha, nor does the BJP may not need the BJD to win at the Centre.”
“Both, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are great leaders. They are also good friends, and an alliance between the two parties would be a mark of great statesmanship. I see it like this – two great leaders wanting to come together for a greater cause. It has no electoral value,” Pandian said when asked what is the need for an alliance between the two parties.
“Here are two great leaders whose coming together be a mark of great statesmanship. I see it this way and even the Chief Minister thinks this was.”
Citing the example of the last panchayat election in the state, Pandian said, “The BJD secured 95 per cent of the votes and the second party – the BJP – could get only 5 per cent of the votes. Our Chief Minister is a popular leader who always thinks and works for the betterment of the people of Odisha.”
Talking about why he joined politics, Pandian clarified that though he entered into politics, he had no plans to enter into electoral politics. He further stated that he is going to help Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to secure a majority in the coming Assembly polls in the state.
“Naveen Patnaik is a great soul and I feel blessed to be associated with him for over a decade. As a disciple of the Chief Minister I felt that I should do something to reach out to the people in a better way.”
When asked how he felt when he is described as an “outsider”, Pandian said, “I have been the focus of the opposition attack for the last four years. However, to understand how the people of Odisha perceive me, one has to see their interaction and discussions with me.”
