Former bureaucrat V K Pandian announced his withdrawal from active politics on Sunday, six months and 13 days after joining the political arena. His decision comes in the wake of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) facing a significant defeat in both the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

In a heartfelt video message, Pandian expressed his deep connection to Odisha, stating that the state would remain at the core of his heart and that he would always hold ‘Guru Naveen Babu’ (referring to Naveen Patnaik) in high regard. Pandian emphasized that his sole intention in joining politics was to support Patnaik, which is why he refrained from contesting in the 2024 elections.

Pandian also issued an apology to the people of Odisha, as well as to BJD leaders and workers, if they held him responsible for the electoral loss. His brief political stint, marked by his commitment to aiding Patnaik, has now come to an end, leaving a notable impact on the state’s political landscape.