Bhubaneswar, May 3: The opposition parties' allegation that a non-Odia person chosen by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik as his political successor in Odisha has virtually been proved true.

VK Pandian, Naveen Odisha Chairperson and the second most star campaigner of the BJD for the ensuing Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is understandably going to be the CM's successor if his recent statement to a section of media is interpreted in the light of the ongoing political situation of the Biju Janata Dal.

"I am a natural successor to Naveen Patnaik's great values. Only BJP calls me an 'outsider'," Pandian told a news agency.
The news agency has said, "Naveen Patnaik's closest associate VK Pandian has said he is natural to all the great values of Odisha CM and he will do everything under the sun to help his 'guru' serve the people of the State."

"Doesn't it mean that Pandian has made it clear he is the political successor of Naveen Patnaik," wanted to know a political analyst.

Notably, the BJP has made 'Odia Asmita' (self-identity) and 'Swabhiman' (self-respect) the main poll plank, while the BJD has largely depended on VK Pandian, a Tamil Nadu resident, for campaigning for the ensuing elections.

Recently, in an interview, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a section of media that the BJP is all set to uphold the Asmita and Swabhiman of the people of Odisha. He said the Odia language and culture are in danger now.

"CM Naveen Patnaik is still unable to speak Odia. People accepted him as he is the son of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. Now it is to be seen whether people of Odisha will accept a non-Odia officer as the political successor of Patnaik," said the analyst.

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