The political tensions in Odisha have intensified with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is being held “hostage” by his former personal secretary and current close aide, VK Pandian. Former BJP state president Sameer Mohanty wrote a letter to Odisha’s Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Kumar Sarangi, urging intervention to “free” Patnaik from Pandian’s influence.
Mohanty’s letter claims that videos circulating on social media, purportedly from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), suggest that Patnaik is under the control of Pandian and other non-Odia officials. He expressed doubts about whether state officials, including the Chief Secretary and the DGP, could communicate with Patnaik as per protocol.
These allegations were echoed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Giriraj Singh, who suggested that a coterie surrounding Patnaik is planning to position Pandian as the next chief minister. Sarma and Singh both claimed that Patnaik’s autonomy is restricted by Pandian.
Responding swiftly, Chief Minister Patnaik dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. He asserted his good health and active participation in campaigning for upcoming elections. Patnaik criticized the BJP for spreading lies and crossing ethical boundaries, emphasizing that he has been actively engaging with the public and is fully capable of fulfilling his duties.
VK Pandian also rebuked the BJP’s claims, calling them “substandard” and “below the belt.” He suggested that the people of Odisha would not appreciate such unfounded accusations against their popular chief minister. Pandian urged the BJP to focus on more substantive and innovative political strategies.
Mohanty further alleged that Patnaik’s public appearances are scripted and brief due to health issues, implying that the videos showing Patnaik’s activities might be manipulated using AI. In rebuttal, Patnaik challenged the BJP to use its intelligence effectively instead of resorting to falsehoods.
The BJP’s allegations and the BJD’s responses reflect the heightened political drama in Odisha as the state prepares for upcoming elections. The situation underscores the contentious and polarized nature of current state politics.
