Unfazed by the ‘outsider’ barb from his opponents, Naveen Patnaik’s closest associate V.K. Pandian has said he is a “natural successor” to all the great values of the Odisha Chief Minister and that he would do everything under the sun to help his “guru” serve the people of the State.
In a no-holds-barred attack on the BJP, Mr. Pandian also said it is the ruling party at the Centre that has done nothing for the 'Odiya Asmita' or for promoting the language, art and culture of the State despite repeated pleas by the Chief Minister.
In an interview at Mr. Patnaik’s residence, the 49-year-old former IAS officer who last served as private secretary to the Chief Minister before quitting the service to join the Biju Janata Dal in 2023, said, “I call Naveen babu my guru and I’m his shishya (disciple).”
