Is Odisha CM a hostage? Asks Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
Deogarh: In a striking statement on Thursday (May 23), Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that Odisha CM and BJD president Naveen Patnaik is being manipulated by his close aide, V Karthikeyan Pandian.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remarks have sparked controversy, highlighting the “influence of Pandian”, who serves as the private secretary to Patnaik.
“Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik is effectively held hostage by his close aide, V Karthikeyan Pandian,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted.
He further claimed that Pandian, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, wields significant control over the Odisha chief minister’s decisions, ‘impacting’ the administration's functioning.
Sarma's allegations come amid growing scrutiny over Pandian's role within the Odisha government.
Critics have previously questioned the extent of his influence, citing his involvement in key administrative and political decisions.
“When Odisha CM comes to the public, Pandian stands beside him. When anyone asks the CM any question, Pandian responds to it,” said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Also read: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma visits Lakhminath Bezbaruah’s house in Odisha’s Sambalpur
He added: “Naveen Babu does what Pandian says. Odisha governor should talk to Naveen Patnaik once and find out if he is the CM.”
“Only then will we come to know if he is under hostage, if Pandian is guiding him or Naveen Patnaik is governing the state. I think he is not in his senses,” said Sarma.
It may be mentioned here that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is one of the 30-star campaigners the BJP named for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha.
“VK Pandian is the de facto CM and he makes Naveen Babu sign documents,” said CM Sarma.
He added: “This election is about the dignity of Odisha.”
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has suggested that a high court judge, as a neutral figure, should privately speak with Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik to assess his well-being and ensure he is not under duress.
“I believe a high court judge should speak to Naveen Babu alone to see if he is happy and if he is okay. I mentioned a high court judge because they would be neutral. A judge should spend 10 minutes speaking to Naveen Babu privately. I have spoken to many friends in the BJD, and in the last 10 years, none of them has met Naveen Babu alone. Whenever they meet, Pandian is with him, and Naveen Babu only says ‘ok, ok’, nothing more,” Sarma alleged.