VK Pandian: How this IAS officer from TN became a political force in Odisha

For years, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s trusted private secretary VK Pandian was widely perceived as the second most powerful person, next to his boss, in the coastal state. He is often seen in public with Naveen. In some rare photographs shot at Naveen Niwas (CM’s residence), he stands behind Naveen, who heads the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

However, the Tamil Nadu-born 2000 batch officer is now in the eye of a storm. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress allege that, in violation of all norms, the officer is holding public meetings and announcing projects during his visits to different districts. He also uses the state helicopter for his trips, they added.

Based on a June 24 complaint by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and BJP state president Manmohan Samal, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has urged the Odisha chief secretary to address Pandian’s alleged violations of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules.

Incidentally, on June 27, former chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik, who is now campaign committee chairman of the Odisha Congress, also complained to the DoPT stating, “No serving officer is permitted under the AISC Rules to represent a political functionary at a public meeting.”

Also read: ‘Delegation of work’: BJD defends CM’s pvt secy Pandian amid opposition protests

High-profile officer

Enclosing the picture of Pandian on a hoarding bearing the symbol of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) — which Bijay Patnaik said he spotted on Hatibadi Road, Ram Nagar, Parlakhemundi in Gajapati district — with the complaint, Bijay Patnaik mentioned that he (Pandian) “goes around the state and makes public announcements of grants to different institutions thereby flouting governmental norms regarding expenditure from the Consolidated fund. Any secretary to the government who is a party to such announcements without following rules of expenditure sanction is liable for disciplinary action”.

The allegations are serious in nature and set a bad precedent for officers of all India services in the entire country, stated Bijay Patnaik.

While Sarangi quit IAS and joined the BJP in 2019, Bijay Patnaik, who was considered close to Naveen, served as principal secretary to the chief minister from 2004 to 2010 before being the chief secretary. Now, both hold Naveen responsible for what is happening.

Ironically, not only the Opposition, Naveen has been questioned by his own party leaders as well.

BJD too complains

Last week, media baron and senior BJD leader Soumya Ranjan Patnaik in his column in the popular Odia daily Sambad, which he owns and edits, urged Naveen to clear the air on the Opposition’s allegation that “governance in Odisha has been hijacked by a section of the bureaucrats”.

He even asked Sarangi to raise the matter with prime minister, saying the latter was the ultimate authority over the all India administrative service.

With criticism against him growing unabated, Pandian tried to clarify that he and other officials have been asked by the chief minister to supervise development work. He played as proof a recorded voice message purportedly of Naveen sanctioning him to tour Bargarh.

Predictably, the BJD has rallied behind the bureaucrat. But the Opposition is not convinced.

Over the years, Pandian has been considered the gateway to Naveen. It’s also said that elected representatives of BJD look for opportunities to have an audience with him. Though, earlier he operated from within his office in the third floor of the Odisha Secretariat, of late, Pandian — who is also the 5T secretary — has attracted attention for visiting places, leading from the front and adopting a public role.

Also read: 25 years of BJD: What makes Naveen Patnaik tick like no other

Pandian shines

It’s not unusual to hear people from across the state talking about the unimaginable authority Pandian enjoys within the BJD and the government. Many also whisper that he may join active politics, some even think him as Naveen’s potential successor.

Despite its 23 years of uninterrupted rule, the BJD lacks a second-rung leadership.

“He was always behind the closed doors, in public meetings sat behind the chief minister. The chief minister is the face of the government, an officer can’t represent him,” Bijay Patnaik told The Federal.

He termed 5T as an ingenious devise to interfere with all the departments of the government bypassing the normal procedure and hierarchy. “It’s an absurd kind of system.”

On the other hand, referring to Pandian’s recent visit to Bargarh district, BJP leader and Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari said that not only he held public meetings or announced projects, even his escort team abandoned its original uniform.

Officer’s limitations

The Lok Sabha MP questioned as to how a serving officer can announce projects without files having moved or budgetary allocations made.

“A bureaucrat is mandated to assist the elected representative (CM or minister); he can’t discharge their responsibilities,” Pujari said. “In accordance with the constitution, the legislature is the horse and the bureaucracy the cart. The horse pulls the cart, not the other way around. In Odisha, what we see today is reverse democracy.”

He maintained that the buck stops at Naveen as Pandian derives his authority and power from the chief minister.

Often, Naveen has been criticized for his overdependence on officials. Starting from 2000, Naveen’s advisor Pyari Mohan Mohapatra — a retired civil servant who went on to become a Rajya Sabha member — called the shots. Pyari Babu (as Mohapatra was referred) had served as secretary to Naveen’s late chief minister father Biju Patnaik. Naveen was new to the state and couldn’t speak the local language Odia.

On the other hand, shrewd — he was called the Chanakya of Odisha — Pyari knew the state, its people, politics and the politicians like the back of his hand, which helped Naveen. Pyari became immensely powerful.

Coup that failed

However, on the midnight of May 29, 2012, with Naveen being away in the United Kingdom (the maiden occasion Naveen had gone abroad since becoming chief minister in 2000), Pyari allegedly attempted a coup, which failed. He was dismissed from the BJD. Naveen didn’t see Pyari’s face again.

Incidentally, just a year before this incident, Pandian — who had stints as Collector in Naveen’s home district Ganjam and Mayurbhanj — had been brought into the chief minister’s office and had joined as the chief minister’s private secretary. He continues to remain in the post.

Also read: Naveen Patnaik: No possibility of Third Front; BJD to go alone in 2024 LS polls

Former bureaucrats say Naveen has a soft corner for Ganjam collectors, and he awards them with plum postings.

Many believe that the post-Pyari dynamics paved the way for Pandian to fill the void. Extremely hard working, he won Naveen’s trust. Unlike Pyari, he was a serving officer, which suited Naveen more. From then on, Pandian’s clout has been on the ascendancy, constantly.

Though all eyes are on Naveen, not many believe that he will take any action against his favorite officer. Many believe that he is visiting places and announcing projects because he is exercising the authority and powers of the chief minister.

“Pyari Babu got too big for his boots and became very ambitious. Pandian is smart enough, will not do anything to annoy his boss. As it’s he is enjoying all power,” viewed senior journalist Sandeep Sahu.

According to Sahu, despite the state BJP’s spirited attack, the NDA government wouldn’t press the matter any further. “They (NDA) will not like to spoil their relationship with Naveen’s BJD which has been the NDA’s most dependable ally.”

Pandian to change?

He, however, felt that due to the controversy, Pandian may tone down his activities, but he will continue to visit across Odisha. According to a former chief secretary, for administrative inquiry against a civil servant, one has to furnish credible evidence to substantiate the claim or prove that the officer concerned is participating in political events or meetings. As the state government is the cadre controlling authority, the government of India can’t take any action of its own.

Bijay Patnaik, however, is determined to pursue the matter. “I will continue to send them reminders and ask what appropriate action have been taken against this officer who has clearly crossed the Lakshman Rekha,” Patnaik said.