Bhubaneswar, June 8: Even as BJD leaders and workers across Odisha are blaming VK Pandian for the poll debacle, former Chief Minister and party president Naveen Patnaik gave clean chit to the Tamil Nadu native again saying Pandian has done good work for the government and the BJD, and criticism of him is very "unfortunate".

"Pandian is not in any party position. He didn't contest in the election. He has done good work for both the government and the BJD. Winning and losing are common affairs in electoral politics. It is very unforunate that Pandian is being criticised for the BJD's defeat," Patnaik told reporters.

Patnaik said his (Pandian's) clean image can't be questioned. The former CM reiterated that Pandian is not his successor and the people of Odisha will choose his successor at an appropriate time.

BJD's huge poll loss remains to be a matter of discussion in the State. Many party workers and leaders have started venting their anger, while blaming Pandian for the poll debacle. Many have opined that had the senior leaders been given priority, BJD would have won the election.

It may be noted that Pandian, listed as the number-two star campaigner of the BJD, virtually led the campaigning for the party, while number-one campaigner and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik remained almost mute at all public meetings.

Now in post-poll period, party leaders have been demanding that they don't want any medium to report to the party chief. They want to report to party chief (Naveen Patnaik) directly.

Meanwhile, the former Chief Minister's 'protective' statement has attracted sharp reaction from the opposition party leaders. They said their allegation of Naveen making efforts to run the State government by Pandian has come true and his clean chit to Pandian is a slap on the face of BJD leaders who are worried over the party's poll debacle.

"Why Naveen Babu takes Pandian as the most efficient when there are many efficient Odia leaders in the State. Our earlier allegation of Naveen Babu making all efforts to run the government by Pandian has been substantiated by his statement. Naveen Babu's clean chit to an anti-Odisha entity is like giving a slap on the face of leaders worried over poll debacle and condemnable as well," said BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal.

The Biju Janata Dal, which ruled Odisha since 2000, lost to the BJP, breaking the 24-year-old reign of Naveen Patnaik as the Chief Minister.

The Bharatiya Janata Party secured 78 seats in the 147-seat assembly, while the BJD secured 51 seats, the Indian National Congress had to contend with 14 seats, CPM with one and Independents three.

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