VK Pandian exclusive: 'People see me as Naveen Patnaik's workhorse'
In an exclusive chat with India Today TV's News Director Rahul Kanwal, BJD leader VK Pandian said people see a little reflection of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in him.
TOPIC
Naveen Patnaik
Naveen Patnaik is an Indian politician and the longest-serving Chief Minister of Odisha. He also holds the record of being the longest-serving chief minister of any state for almost two decades.
Patnaik is the party president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD). He led his political party to yet another victory in the 2019 Odisha Assembly elections and became the state's Chief Minister for a fifth consecutive term.
He was born on October 16, 1946, in Cuttack to Biju Patnaik, also the former Chief Minister of Odisha, and mother Gyan. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at Delhi University. He entered politics in 1997 after his father's demise and in 1998 founded the Biju Janata Dal party.
Other than being an active politician, he is also a writer and has authored three books. He is also the founder member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
Having spent most of his life outside Odisha, he is not very fluent in the state's regional language – Odia. Because of this, he has come under a lot of criticism from his political opponents.
His official Twitter handle is @Naveen_Odisha and the name of his official Facebook page is Naveen Patnaik. He is also active on Instagram, under the username naveen_odisha.
STORIES
Poll panel searches Naveen Patnaik's aide VK Pandian's helicopter in Odisha
An official from the Election Commission said that a helicopter used by VK Pandian was searched in Odisha's Nabarangapur district. However, no objectionable material was found in the helicopter.
How a lungi war has wrapped Odisha politics
Lungi politics is in full play in Odisha, which is holding elections for its Assembly along with the Lok Sabha polls. It all started with the BJD's campaign video of Chief Minister Naveen Patanaik in a lungi, which isn't commonly worn in public in Odisha. The BJP and the BJD are clutching on to the lungi in their own ways.
Naveen Patnaik to contest from Kantabanji, Hinjili assembly seats
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will contest from Kantabanji assembly constituency in Bolangir district of Western Odisha along with his traditional Hinjili seat in Ganjam district.
Naveen Patnaik and the BJD: Back in the fight
Following failed alliance talks, the BJD strategically selects candidates to challenge BJP’s nominees, marking the onset of an electoral showdown
BJD announces names of 9 Lok Sabha candidates
Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced the names of nine candidates to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, after BJP's decision to contest the parliamentary and Assembly polls alone.
Opinion: No alliance, BJP and BJD's war rooms gear up for twin battle in Odisha
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik have a unique record of fighting elections with aggressive campaigns and then joining hands for the development of the state and the nation without much acrimony.
Opinion: How BJD-BJP talks failing will affect Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha
The BJD’s gharwapsi in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was widely expected to happen near the birth anniversary of Biju Patnaik, father of current Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. However, the deal is now off the table.
Six-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab resigns from Naveen Patnaik's BJD
Six-time BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab has resigned from the party as he was unhappy due to the party's "lack of commitment" to combating corruption in Odisha.
Why BJD-BJP alliance talks in Odisha are still in limbo
According to BJD sources, the BJP has expressed its desire to contest 57 of the 147 Assembly seats and 13-14 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha.
Odisha's Hinjili seat under spotlight as Naveen Patnaik aims for record 6th term
Hinjili, the constituency represented by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, holds significant importance in Odisha's political landscape as Patnaik sets his sights on an unprecedented sixth consecutive term.
Odisha BJP leaders meet Amit Shah days after ‘no tie-up talk with BJD’ remark
Core members of the BJP's Odisha unit of the BJP met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, sources told India Today TV. It took place on the same day that the BJP is likely to release its second list of Lok Sabha candidates.
Around 1,300 youths join government service in Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasised his government's commitment to bringing about transformative changes in people's lives, highlighting the priority of public welfare in his governance.
The Odisha moment
The state’s transformative journey—from poverty to prosperity—under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, made for some fascinating discussions at the India Today State of the State Conclave in Bhubaneswar
Opinion: Can Naveen Patnaik’s gharwapsi fillip NDA’s Mission 400?
The proposed alliance between the BJP and the BJD appears to be very formidable. However, alliances between the top two parties in a state could be complicated as a seamless transfer of votes may not happen.
Naveen Patnaik, NDA to reunite after 15 years? Details emerge
Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has hinted at rekindling ties with the BJP for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls and the assembly elections, 15 years after quitting the NDA.
Naveen Patnaik introduces 'Nabin Magic Card' to empower UG, PG students
The 'Nabin Odisha Magic Card' would support students' personal growth, ease financial pressure on parents, and cultivate pathways for career advancement and employment opportunities.
Has Naveen Patnaik changed over the years? Aide VK Pandian shares 2 incidents
At the India Today State of the State Conclave Odisha 2024 event in Bhubaneswar, VK Pandian, the bureaucrat-turned-politician, and aide of Naveen Patnaik, shared two anecdotes on the Odisha Chief Minister's humane side. Read more to know.
In Odisha, Bill Gates discusses welfare schemes with Chief Minister, visits slum
Bill Gates held discussions with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on various state government initiatives. He also visited a slum in Bhubaneswar and interacted with the residents.
How Yogi Adityanath, Naveen Patnaik make CMs’ Jodi No. 1
Adityanath was polled the most popular CM for the eighth time in a row in the India Today Mood of the Nation Survey; Patnaik grabbed the honour within home state
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VIDEOS
NDA widens footprint ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha battle
With just weeks left before the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has intensified its efforts to strike poll deals with parties in various states. Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and BJP have hinted at a re-alliance. Speculations of a BJP deal with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-Jana Sena Party (JSP) combine are also alive in Andhra Pradesh. The latest developments show that the Narendra Modi-led party is now trying to revive the old NDA platform.
Naveen Patnaik's party BJD likely to rekindle ties with BJP
Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and assembly elections in Odisha, there are talks that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik can rekindle ties with the BJP.
Two anecdotes about the emotional side of Naveen Patnaik as shared by VK Pandian
V. Kartikeya Pandian was asked if he had witnessed any change in the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the years. The former IAS officer turned Patnaik’s close aide shared two moving anecdotes to illustrate the human side of the CM.
Odisha's Naveen Patnaik most popular Chief Minister, says Mood of Nation survey
Odisha's Chief and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Chief Naveen Patnaik is the most popular Chief Minister of the country, the Mood of the Nation survey highlighted. The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath closely followed Patnaik in the survey. With a popularity rating of 48.6 per cent, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ranked third in the survey.
Watch: Naveen Patnaik virtually attends Ram Mandir ceremony with 'folded hands'
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday virtually attended the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. Donned in a white Kurta Pyjama, the BJD supremo watched the event on a big television screen with 'folded hands'.
'Jai Jagannath sir,' says VK Pandian, touches Naveen Patnaik's feet, joins BJD
Former bureaucrat VK Pandian, who served as the private secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, said 'Jai Jagannath' and touched Naveen Patnaik's feet before joining his party BJD today in Bhubaneswar.
Watch: Naveen Patnaik irritably removes party sash, badge at event in Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik appeared uncomfortable wearing a sash featuring his own party's flag and a badge during a meeting organised by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Ekamra constituency in Bhubaneswar. In the video, two female BJD leaders can be seen putting a sash and a badge on the chief minister, who seemed visibly uneasy and promptly removed them himself. The meeting was organised in light of the commencement of the Jana Sampark Padayatra by the BJD in Odisha, which began today.
CM Patnaik talks to PM Modi on phone, shares details about present situation
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday over the phone and briefed him about the latest situation, particularly on medical treatment of the rail accident victims. The Chief Minister assured that all possible steps have been taken to save the lives of the injured passengers in different hospitals of Odisha, the CMO said in a statement. “The doctors, medical students are doing their best they can to save lives. Doctors, students and common people are coming forward to donate blood for the injured persons”, the statement by the CMO read.
Odisha train accident: CM Naveen Patnaik reaches Balasore, takes stock of situation
Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik reached Balasore and took stock of the rescue operations underway at the site. At least 280 people were killed and over 900 were injured in a major accident involving three trains, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train, in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik unveiled his father's Dakota DC-3 aircraft
Biju Patnaik's Dakota DC-3 aircraft was put out on public display on his 107th birthday...
Woman killed, children injured in stampede in Cuttack's Makar Sankranti Mela
A woman died and several others, including children, were critically injured in a stampede on the Badamba-Gopinathpur T-bridge in Odisha's Cuttack on Saturday. Lakhs of pilgrims had gathered at the Singhanath temple to celebrate Makar Sankranti. Following the incident, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family members of the deceased.
Key takeaways from PM Modi's meeting with CMs; MSME sector in doldrums; more
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a review meet with CMs over lockdown during which he asked CMs to classify states into red, orange and green zones. As many as four chief ministers, including Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, have advised extension of the lockdown to contain the infection.
