VK Pandian started out as the sub-collector in 2002 (File)
VK Pandian, the former private secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has been given a cabinet minister rank in the state government, a day after he took voluntary retirement from government service. Mr Pandian's rise as the Chief Minister's aide drew the Opposition's ire in the state, who accused him of misusing his position for political gains.
A 2000-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer of the Odisha cadre, Mr Pandian started out as the sub-collector of Dharmagarh in the state's Kalahandi district in 2002.
In 2006, he was made the collector of the Mayurbhanj district and the collector of Ganjam two years later in 2007. While serving in the Ganjam, Mr Pandian became close to the Chief Minister, who is also from the district.
VK Pandian joined the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in 2011 and has been Naveen Patnaik's private secretary since.
When Mr Patnaik took charge as the Chief Minister for the fifth time in 2019, VK Pandian was handed additional responsibility of the '5T secretary' to implement transformational initiatives in the government departments.
Mr Patnaik's former aide has been a target for the state Opposition, with the BJP and the Congress gunning for his resignation so he can "officially join the BJD". During his whirlwind tour of the state, when he held 190 meetings to hear the grievances of the people, the criticisms spiralled.
So, his resignation on Monday was welcomed by both the Congress and the BJP.
Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka said he would not be surprised if VK Pandian took charge as the chief minister of Odisha before the next elections. "Such is the power structure in Odisha, no one has a clue about what's happening but everyone knows who's controlling. VRS approved in three days during holidays - super fast," he said in a post on X.
Congress MLA SS Saluja welcomed the bureaucrat's decision to take voluntary retirement. "We welcome his decision. He should have done it earlier. We do not know whether he will join politics or return to his own state. However, if he joins the BJD, it will be helpful for the Opposition, Congress is particular," he said.
The BJP's chief whip Mohan Majhi asserted that VK Pandian resigned to forward his political career.
"Now, he will be able to do politics openly instead of from behind the mask of a bureaucrat. He will not be accepted by the people of Odisha," Mr Majhi claimed.
Earlier today, an order by Odisha's General Administration and Public Grievance Department said VK Pandian has been appointed as the chairman of the state government's 5T (Transformation Initiatives) and Nabin Odisha scheme. The order said that he would hold a cabinet minister rank.
(With input from PTI)