Bhubaneswar, Dec. 21 -- Senior BJD leader Sambit Routray on Sunday asserted that VK Pandian, the former 5T Chairman is not a leader but a manager. Routray admitted that a few BJD leaders have a certain soft corner for Pandian, but confessed that he has never accepted him as a leader.

He further stated that Naveen is the only leader of BJD and Pandian was and will always only remain a manager.

Routray said, "Pandian used to convey Naveen Patnaik's instructions to party leaders and, therefore, he could be described as a good manager."

Meanwhile, dismissing speculation about internal rifts, Routray said there is no leadership crisis within the party. He also rejected claims of groupism and asserted that no one can hijack the BJD. He said ...