Strange Steps by Naveen

Bhubaneswar (Surjit Kumar Dhal): A former corporate, Santrupta Mishra, has been appointed as political secretary to Naveen Patnaik, Biju Janata Dal President. This surprised many as Mishra has very little experience in politics. He had joined the BJD just a few days before the Lok Sabha polls.
Santrupta has close relation with V Karthikeyan Pandian. He is blamed for the party’s poll debacle resulting the end of Naveen Patnaik’s 24 years rule.

Though Pandian has announced Sanyas from politics following party’s defeat in the recent State Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. It is presumed that he is still active in the BJD politics. The notifications regarding appointments of Santrupta Mishra as Naveen Patnaik’s political secretary, national and state spokespersons reflect the influence of Pandian.

All the people having strong connections with V Karthikeyan Pandian have been included as national and state spokespersons. It is observed that the new action will not give any significant boost to the BJD. Santrupta Mishra was working in a multinational company which made huge contribution to the BJD’s party fund in the shape of electoral bonds.