VK Pandian, close to Naveen Patnaik, retires from politics in a major blow to BJD in Odisha.

BJD leader VK Pandian has announced his retirement from active politics after losing the Odisha assembly elections. In Odisha, Pandian is close to BJD leader and two-time chief minister Naveen Patnaik. BJD has suffered a crushing defeat in this election. Pandyan has also been widely criticized for the BJD's defeat in the state. VK Pandian has announced his retirement by sharing a video on his Instagram. Pandian said, “I had a dream of becoming an IAS from childhood and it came true. “I came in contact with Naveen Patnaik 12 years ago and learned a lot from him, who trusted me to take his vision forward.” Pandian also said that I have worked very hard for the people of the state. Inauguration Ceremony Date Changed in Odisha The inauguration ceremony of the first BJP government in Odisha is scheduled to be held from June 10 to June 12. Party leaders Jatin Mohanty and Vijaypal Singh Tomar confirmed this on Sunday. Mohanty said the swearing-in ceremony has been postponed due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's busy schedule. We are told that PM Modi will be busy with the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday and will meet party MPs the next day. Apart from this, the first assembly meeting of the newly elected members is scheduled to be held on June 11. Modi had said during the election campaign that the new government in Odisha will take office on June 11. Suspense continues over who will be Chief Minister in Odisha. Contesting the election in the name of Prime Minister Modi favored the BJP and the party won 78 of the 147 seats in the state. Even after the party's victory, it is yet to be decided in whose hands the governance of the state will be handed over. Sources said senior BJP leader and newly elected MLA Suresh Pujari has reached New Delhi, fueling speculation that he could be one of the main contenders for the top post. Pujari, who won the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from the Bargar constituency, recently won the elections from the Brajrajnagar Assembly constituency. His supporters believe that he was invited to Delhi for discussions with central leaders. With the BJP central leadership yet to take a final decision on the chief ministerial leader, the party's Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal told reporters on Saturday to wait for two more days for a clear picture to emerge.