BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday clarified that VK Pandian is not his political successor, stating that people of Odisha will make that decision.
Despite Naveen never explicitly naming Pandian as his successor, the Tamil IAS officer turned BJD politician’s prominent role had fuelled speculation about his potential to succeed Naveen.“He is not my successor.
And I see all of this as exaggerations and falsehoods,” Naveen said an interview to news agency ANI.
That’s the natural result of these things.” On his grooming of Pandian, Naveen said, “I can’t understand these exaggerations.
You may have noticed he is not even standing for election.”On Pandian taking decisions on his behalf, Naveen said, “That is ridiculous.
BHUBANESWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday clarified that VK Pandian is not his political successor, stating that people of Odisha will make that decision. Despite Naveen never explicitly naming Pandian as his successor, the Tamil IAS officer turned BJD politician’s prominent role had fuelled speculation about his potential to succeed Naveen.“He is not my successor. And I see all of this as exaggerations and falsehoods,” Naveen said an interview to news agency ANI. The CM’s statement regarding his close associate comes amid the BJP's targeted attacks on Pandian, just before the crucial final phase of elections on Saturday, which will determine the fate of 42 assembly seats and six Lok Sabha seats. Several BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah have questionedOn his succession plan, the Odisha CM said, “I have said repeatedly that the successor will be decided by the people of the state. That’s the natural result of these things.” On his grooming of Pandian, Naveen said, “I can’t understand these exaggerations. You may have noticed he is not even standing for election.”On Pandian taking decisions on his behalf, Naveen said, “That is ridiculous. And I have said it often before. This is an old allegation. It holds no weight.”On his possible support to BJP in case required post poll amid the acrimonious situation now, Naveen said he has never shown acrimony to anyone in public life and would judge the situation then. “Let’s see what the position in the future will be,” he said not ruling out his support to BJP.He said the personal attack on him by BJP leaders is because of waning popularity, nationally and in Odisha of BJP.Speaking about the outcome of the ongoing elections, Naveen said, “I see a very handsome results in the state elections. We will form a solid govt. In Parliament we will have a very good majority. Naveen hoped he will remain CM for full five years, if re-elected.
