Pandian was stumbling block in BJP-BJD deal

The unease within the Bharatiya Janata Party over the role and likely succession of former IAS officer V K Pandian in the Biju Janata Dal was a principal reason why the alliance with the Odisha party did not work out.

There was traction over the possibility of a “sweep” in the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha but BJP leaders were chary about “endorsing” Pandian who hails from Tamil Nadu. If BJP became a partner in the state government it would not have any choice but to accept BJD’s internal decisions.

Pandian has emerged as the main interlocutor between the party and chief minister Naveen Patnaik who has not been in the best of health. While Pandian’s clout was never in doubt even earlier his role is now upfront since he quit the civil service.

BJP leaders feel they will be able to improve their state assembly tally from 23 to near about 50 and the Lok Sabha number from eight to 12-14. They also said senior BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab who has resigned  from the party will contest on a BJP ticket. He is currently Cuttack MP.

The decision not to proceed with BJD was not easy but BJP felt it might not be a good idea to underwrite Patnaik’s sixth term — even it was inevitable— as it would impair the saffron party’s growth in Odisha.

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Rajeev Deshpande

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