"Issues like devolution of funds have been ironed out since 2014" says BJD's VK Pandian

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India] February 7 : VK Pandian, a former IAS officer and BJD leader, has said that there have been systemic improvements in the devolution of grants to states since the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014.
Speaking in an interview with ANI, Pandian said he believed that cooperative federalism was redefined in 2014. The former bureaucrat said he felt that several issues had been ironed out.
"I would say so. To a great extent, a lot of things have been ironed out, including the devolution. Even though we say that we have to get more funds, but there have been systemic improvements on that score" Pandian said.
Pandian also refuted the charge by the Opposition that the BJD and the BJP were playing a fixed match as the BJD had consistently backed the Centre on crucial bills.
"I think our Chief Minister believes in not doing politics when elections are not around. He believes strongly in work. He says that I am in this job to work for the people. Whatever help the people of the state need, he will take that decision at that point of time. He is very clear in his approach" Pandian said.
Devolution of state funds by the Centre has recently been raised by states like Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramiah on Wednesday, protested against what he termed the step motherly treatment by the Centre.
A similar protest has been called for by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, which also received the backing of his Tamil Nadu counterpart, MK Stalin.
BJD's VK Pandian, however, states that Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik believes in constructive cooperation with the Centre to ensure that his State's needs are met.
"If you hear his speeches, he makes it very clear that I will have a constructive cooperation with the Centre. I want the State to progress. I am not here to fight with BJP. I am not here to fight with Congress. I want the state to grow. Whatever is required for the state to grow, I'll do it. I'll sacrifice. I'll compromise. But I want my State to grow. When elections are happening, there will be electoral politics" Pandian said.
Pandian, however, said that the BJD had opposed the Centre on several critical issues like the farm law bills.
"When something is against the interests of the country, the BJD has always opposed it. Or when BJD is not convinced about something, BJD has not gone ahead with the BJP. I'll give you two examples. One is the farmer's bill. BJD did not support. Farmer's bill was withdrawn. The second one was NRC (National Register of Citizens). Our Chief Minister made it very clear it's not good for the country. So there are instances where... the Chief Minister or the BJD has not supported the Centre in issues which concerns the nation. And when BJD or the Chief Minister is convinced about it, they have supported" Pandian said.
Pandian a 2000 batch IAS officer recently sought retirement from the Civil Services to join the Biju Janata Dal. He has been a key person in several transformative initiatives taken by the State.
Pandian spoke extensively to ANI on his reasons for leaving the Civil service and choosing to join politics as well as the way ahead in 2024. The entire interview will be released on Thursday at 5 pm on the ANI YouTube channel.