Bhubaneswar: Bureaucrat-turned-politician and 5T chairman V K Pandian will not contest the 2024 elections, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra informed a presser after the party’s state executive meeting in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
This came amid speculation about his role in the ruling party, which he joined last month after taking voluntary retirement from service in October.
“Pandian today cleared his stand on fighting the upcoming elections. He himself announced that he would not contest the 2024 elections. But as a dedicated worker, he will continue to strengthen the party,” Mishra said, adding that there should be no problem if he decides to contest the polls, but people should refrain from spreading rumours.
Former Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena said Pandian will work for the BJD in all 147 Assembly constituencies in the state. “The former bureaucrat will work towards strengthening the BJD under the leadership of our party president Naveen Patnaik,” he said.
BJD MLA Sandip Routray told reporters that Pandian informed the meeting that he would continue to work for the party and unite it further. “Since Odisha has gained a reputation of well-governed state, he will work to increase the popularity of the party,” he added.
