Who is VK Pandian, the former secretary to Naveen Patnaik, now holding Cabinet minister rank

This significant shift in Pandian's career has fueled speculation within the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) about his future endeavors. There are suggestions that he might join the BJD and assume a pivotal role in the upcoming assembly elections, anticipated to be held early next year.

VK Pandian, who served as the private secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik until Monday, witnessed a swift transformation in his role within the state's administrative hierarchy. Just a day after opting for voluntary retirement from government service, Pandian was appointed as the Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives) with the distinguished rank of Cabinet Minister.

This significant shift in Pandian's career has fueled speculation within the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) about his future endeavors. There are suggestions that he might join the BJD and assume a pivotal role in the upcoming assembly elections, anticipated to be held early next year.

Who is VK Pandian?

VK Pandian, a 2000-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre hailing from Tamil Nadu, embarked on his bureaucratic journey in 2002 as the sub-collector of Dharmagarh in Kalahandi district. Subsequently, he assumed the role of the collector in Mayurbhanj district in 2005 and later in Ganjam district in 2007. It was during his tenure in Ganjam that Pandian forged a close association with Chief Minister Patnaik.

For over a decade, VK Pandian served as Naveen Patnaik's private secretary, exerting a significant influence within the corridors of power in Odisha. In 2019, after Patnaik's fifth term as Chief Minister, Pandian was bestowed with the additional responsibility of the '5T secretary,' charged with implementing transformative initiatives across government departments.

However, Pandian's tenure was not without controversy, as opposition parties accused him of exploiting his position for political gains. His use of the state chopper for a tour of various districts and alleged violations of service condition rules became subjects of scrutiny and criticism from the opposition, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress.