Almost six months after retiring from active politics, former bureaucrat-turned-Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader V.K. Pandian’s recent public appearance has generated buzz in Odisha’s political circles and sparked speculation about his next move.
The former IAS officer attended the wedding of former BJD MLA Pravat Biswal’s daughter near Cuttack on Wednesday evening, marking exactly one year since he joined the BJD. Following the event, videos of Pandian, which featured major politicians from various parties, circulated widely on social media. On the same day, his wife, senior IAS officer Sujata Karthikeyan, resumed her duties after a six-month leave, though her request for an extension was declined by the BJP government.
Amid the speculation triggered by these videos, BJD insiders have ruled out the possibility of Pandian returning to the party. “Despite his decision to step away from active politics, Pandian remains close to former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and visits Naveen Niwas, Patnaik’s residence, regularly. Regardless of what he discusses or advises the former CM, he is not involved in the day-to-day affairs of the BJD and meets only selected leaders,” stated a senior BJD leader.
Pandian is being held responsible by some BJD leaders for the party’s loss of power, as he is blamed for having “excessive influence” on decisions before the elections. Sources indicate that Patnaik may not support his return to active politics due to ongoing questions about the party’s functioning and electoral strategy. The recent resignations of Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar from the Rajya Sabha to join the BJP have further complicated the party’s situation. A senior leader noted that Pandian’s active participation could lead to more troubles for the party.
Although he avoids the public spotlight, Pandian continues to share success stories from Odisha under the BJD government on his social media accounts. While he is no longer an active member of the BJD, he is believed to still have some influence within the party. Pandian is credited with being behind the appointment of former corporate executive Santrupt Misra as Patnaik’s political secretary.
Despite facing criticism from within the BJD, senior party leaders have refrained from publicly blaming the former bureaucrat, whose non-Odia identity—being Tamil—has become a focal point for BJP attacks on the party in the lead-up to elections. Patnaik has repeatedly defended Pandian, describing him as a person of “integrity and honesty.”
However, according to Pandian’s critics within the party, Patnaik, who has always had a lieutenant to help run the BJD since its inception in 1997, has become more accessible to party leadership after the elections than before. These leaders indicate that the former Chief Minister now directly oversees party affairs and has formed multiple committees to manage day-to-day activities.
