VK Pandian Won’t Contest 2024 Elections, Says BJD Leader Debi Prasad Mishra

Bhubaneswar: V Karthikeyan Pandian, the Chairman of 5T and former bureaucrat, has confirmed that he will not be contesting the 2024 elections, according to a statement by senior BJD MLA Debi Prasad Mishra. Following the party’s state executive meeting in Bhubaneswar, Mishra clarified that Pandian has no plans to file a direct nomination for the upcoming elections. However, Mishra emphasized that there would be no issues if Pandian chooses to participate in the election.

Addressing the media after persistent rumours, Mishra stated, “After much speculation, Pandian has clarified today that he will not contest elections. Although there is no problem if he decides to contest, people should refrain from spreading rumours.”

V Karthikeyan Pandian officially joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on November 27 at Naveen Niwas, in the presence of party supremo Naveen Patnaik and other leaders. Pandian had previously opted for voluntary retirement from the Indian Civil Services on October 23 and was appointed as the Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives) and ‘Nabin Odisha’ in the rank of Cabinet Minister the following day.