Bhubaneswar: In a major political development in Odisha, former IAS officer VK Pandian today joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), announced party president Naveen Patnaik.
A meeting of the party in this regard was held at Naveen Niwas, residence of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik here, in the presence of senior leaders of the party in the morning.
Pandian was earlier working as the Private Secretary (5T) to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and is currently serving as Chairman, 5T (Transformational Initiatives) and Nabin Odisha.
The Central Government had approved the voluntary retirement of the former bureaucrat on October 23.
The development holds significance ahead of the 2024 elections as the party has started strengthening its organization in various constituencies in a bid to continue the victory streak.
Pandian had earlier attended meetings in all districts of Odisha to review developmental projects.
