Bhubaneswar, June 6: VK Pandian, bureaucrat-turned-politician and the close aide of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has remained away from public notice ever since election results were declared on June 4.

His 'loud' claim of BJD's big win and Naveen Patnaik taking oath as CM for record sixth term on June 9, failed as BJP bowled out the regional party in both Assembly and Parliamentary elections.

V Karthikeyan Pandian, who promised to quit politics if Naveen Babu is not voted for the sixth term, has remained untraced even though Naveen has already come to public twice after the results. He went to the Governor's House and submmitted resignation and then met the newly elected MLAs of the BJD at his residence, Naveen Niwas. He also spoke to media persons about the BJD's future plan.

However, Pandian was not seen alongside him on any of the two occassion as he usually does.

According the analysts, 'Asmita' issue involving Pandian's ingress into Odisha politics and his 'conspiracy' to become Naveen's successor through backdoor proved to be fruitful for the BJP. Pandian reasoned poll debacle for the BJD.

"Pandian had promised to quit politics if the BJD doesn't win and Naveen Babu doesn't become the Chief Minister for the sixth time in a row. After the BJD's poll debacle, Pandian has lost face and remained away from public," said an analyst.

Sources said Pandian visited Naveen Niwas secretely in fear of facing camera on the day Naveen convened a meeting of newly elected MLAs. He didn't share a seat at the meeting. He switched off lights while he left Naveen Niwas after the meeting in the evening.

Amid his absentism, the Pandian issue remains to be the talk of town with many BJD heavyweigts blaming him for the BJD defeat. They are now trying to know why the BJD lost the polls. The BJD has instituted a committee, comprising senior leaders, to find out the reasons.

It is also being discussed that Pandian will be driven away from the party if the committee finds him as the reason behind the party's poll disaster.

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