Odisha's former private secretary to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, VK Pandian, formally joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD, Just a month after resigning from the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). There is ongoing speculation that Pandian, an influential ex-bureaucrat, might assume a prominent role within the party, potentially even succeeding Patnaik as its chief in the future.

Pandian, a 2000-batch IAS officer originally in the Punjab cadre, shifted to Odisha in 2001. Married to Odisha-cadre officer Sujata Rout, he served as Chief Minister Patnaik's private secretary since 2011. Pandian took voluntary retirement on October 23, overseeing Naveen Odisha and leading the state government's 5T (good governance) initiative.

“I welcome Pandian to Biju Janata Dal. As all of you know, he has been working very hard for several years for the people of our state and he will continue to do so as a member of the party,” Patnaik said minutes after he joined BJD.

Pandian said, “With the guidance of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, I will work for the people of Odisha in a dedicated, humble, and selfless manner.”

BJD leaders, including Puri MP Pinaki Mishra, welcomed Pandian's entry, noting he joined with the blessings of party chief Patnaik. Mishra stated, "Pandian was advised by Patnaik to work for the state and the party as he worked with him for the last 13-14 years." Patnaik expressed hope that Pandian's experience would benefit the party, considering his past contributions to administration and politics.

Sanjay Das Burma, BJD's state general secretary (headquarters), remarked that Pandian's extensive experience would fortify the party. At the BJD state headquarters, he stated, "We hope under his guidance, the party will become more powerful in the future." Pandian, who initially served as a sub-collector in Dharmagarh, Kalahandi, transitioned through various administrative roles, ultimately becoming the private secretary to CM Patnaik in 2011.

In 2012, Pandian gained the trust of CM Patnaik by assisting in resolving a revolt against him. Over time, he became a key figure in both state administration and party affairs, controlling access to Patnaik from his office on the third floor of the CM's secretariat.

Earlier this year, Pandian faced controversy for extensive state chopper tours to all 30 districts, criticized for wasteful expenditure. Opposition and BJD MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik raised concerns, with complaints filed before DoPT by BJP and Congress.

After joining BJD, Pandian was felicitated at the party office and visited Ganjam district, his last field posting. His inclusion is significant for BJD ahead of the 2024 elections, considering Patnaik's challenges in state-wide tours. BJD won 112 of 147 assembly seats and 12 of 21 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.

"Pandian's success as Odisha CM post-Patnaik is doubtful due to being a non-Odia. BJD's support without Patnaik's presence is uncertain," noted political analyst Rabi Das said.

Image source: Hindustan Times