After meeting BJD supremo and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to convey New Year greetings on Thursday morning, senior party leader Ashok Panda made remarks that have once again reignited the debate over Patnaik’s political succession.
Addressing the media, Panda said that merely aspiring to be Naveen Patnaik’s successor is one thing, but what truly matters is acceptance by the people. He stressed that Naveen Patnaik rose to leadership not because he was chosen by his father, Biju Patnaik, but because the people of Odisha placed their trust in him.
Panda underlined that whoever earns the people’s acceptance will ultimately be the one to safeguard the State’s interests. His comments are being viewed as a subtle yet significant message amid ongoing political speculation over leadership transition within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
“Had Biju Babu chosen his political heir?” Panda asked, recalling Naveen Patnaik’s own remarks at Naveen Nivas. “If you remember, Naveen Babu himself had said that the people of Odisha will choose his heir. When he has already made his stand clear, why are more questions being raised? Wanting to become someone’s heir is a different matter altogether.”
Emphasising the importance of public trust, Panda added that both Biju Patnaik and Naveen Patnaik were accepted by the people, just as iconic leaders like Utkalmani Gopabandhu had been in the past. “Acceptability is what matters most,” he said.
“Whoever the people of Odisha accept will be the true guardian of their interests. Naveen Patnaik is our leader, and we continue to work under his leadership. He remains the sole leader of our party,” Panda asserted.
