Bhubaneswar, Aug 17: Speculation is rife within Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the continued influence of V.K. Pandian, despite his formal retirement from politics. A recent meeting at Naveen Niwas, the residence of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik, has reignited discussions about Pandian’s behind-the-scenes role in party affairs.

On Friday, several senior BJD leaders were summoned to Naveen Niwas, expecting to meet Patnaik and discuss organizational matters. However, to their surprise, the BJD president was not present. This raised questions about who chaired the meeting and whether Pandian, known for his strategic acumen, was once again steering party decisions from the shadows.

Leaders like Prafulla Samal and Ashwini Patra confirmed that while the meeting took place, they did not get to meet BJD president Naveen Patnaik. The absence of Patnaik, who has remained largely out of public view since returning from medical treatment in Mumbai, has fueled speculation about a shift in internal leadership dynamics.

Also Read : VK Pandian Left Party More Than 10 Months Ago, Should Not Be Blamed For Anything: Naveen Patnaik

Adding to the intrigue, discussions reportedly included preparations for Sujata R Pandian’s (wife of VK Pandian) potential entry into active politics, suggesting that VK Pandian may be orchestrating moves to reshape the party’s leadership structure. Meanwhile, organizational appointments in five out of 33 districts remain pending, with three district presidents—Balasore, Khordha, and Rayagada—finalized during the meeting.

Party insiders claim that the meeting focused on anti-BJP strategies and social media training, but the lack of clarity about who led the discussions has led to widespread speculation. Legislators like Rohit Joseph Tirka and Ashwini Patra offered differing accounts of the agenda, further deepening the mystery.

The key question remains: if Naveen Patnaik was absent, who led the meeting at his residence? Was it Pandian, quietly reasserting his influence, or is the party preparing for a new leadership phase with Sujata in the spotlight?

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