Power struggle in Odisha: Insiders vs outsiders

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's inner circle is a house divided. On one side, seasoned Odia bureaucrats simmer with resentment, feeling sidelined by a powerful group of outsiders. On the other, a team led by VK Pandian, a non-Odia with the CM's ear, calls the shots.

Pandian, once a bureaucrat, became a political confidante. Whispers say the CM, scarred by past rebellions, prefers outsiders. This "Dream Team" of bureaucrats, handpicked by Pandian, runs the show, leaving ministers as mere rubber stamps.

It is another matter that the heat of resentment takes the shape of impotent rage since the powerful ruling lobby has the complete backing of Naveen Patnaik.

Also Read | The outsider within: The Pandian determinant

Those who are unhappy dare not protest openly as those ruling are cocooned in the warm embrace of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

But suffice to say there is nothing hidden anymore about the Chinese whispers of resentment. It began as a trickle but it has now become a torrent. How far would it go depends on the CM himself who prefers to run his government in this fashion.

It all began with the appointment of VK Pandian as the main architect to execute the vision of Naveen Patnaik. He started off as a bureaucrat but later quit the civil services to join the BJD full-time. So, the obvious question then arises why did the CM choose to depend on a bureaucrat and not a state politician?

Answer to that lies in the famous rebellion of the past triggered by Pyarimohan Mohapatra. Naveen babu did quell that uprising but lost faith in the typical netas of the state. We will explore that story later.

Pandian virtually rules the state through a clutch of bureaucrats. Those close to him are:

Dhirendra Sambhaji Kutey, IPS, Special Secretary to C.M., R. Balakrishnan, (Retired) Chief Adviser to CM, Vineel Krishna, Special Secretary to CM.

The exceptions to the rule are: Manoj Mishra, IRTS, OSD to CM, Aditya Mohapatra, Addl Secretary to CM, Roopa Roshan Sahoo, Special Secy to CM.

These bureaucrats form the Core team of Pandian. It is a well-devised top down approach which goes down to the district collectors, many of who have sworn allegiance to super boss Pandian.

Originally from Tamil Nadu, Pandian speaks fluent Odia, and is one half of a power couple. His wife, Sujata R Karthikeyan, is an Odisha-born IAS officer, serving as the secretary in the Mission Shakti department.

Officials in the lower hierarchy say while the reduced political interference helps them make quicker decisions, the system may not be strictly in line with democratic principles. Meanwhile, those within the charmed circle of the CM dismiss the criticism as pure rant.

Pandian operates through his 5T principles: teamwork, technology, transparency, transformation, and time across a range of highly promoted government initiatives.

The focus is to inject professionalism and sustained behavioural change in public offices and officials through direct feedback from citizens on services provided by government agencies. The state government then takes these suggestions into account to improve its service delivery system.

The state government has also either suspended or dismissed 197 officials for their inefficiency based on public feedback.

The CMO uses a colour-coded system to track the call completion rates of its officers. Those with high completion rates are in the green zone, while those with low completion rates are in the red zone.

Ministers, stripped of power, grumble in the shadows. Cabinet meetings are quick, decisions pre-made. This outsider domination stings, especially for Odia ministers who feel their expertise is ignored.

In online meetings with secretaries and ministers, Pandian's screen is often larger than the Chief Secretary's. From attending political events and cabinet meetings to meeting national leaders, he does the heavy lifting.

The 77-year-old Naveen Patnaik may not be in the pink of health but he has definitely improved ever since Pandian has taken over the burden of daily administration. He is handling both the party and the state.

Pandian is treated as a star by many. He signs autographs, poses for selfies and he's also an Instagram sensation with over a million followers. His posts are professionally produced videos with all the bells and whistles.

His communication revolves around carefully curated 'interviews' featuring industry leaders. Or they are messages of inspiration. Other videos showcase him giving rousing speeches or highlighting the values of hard work and determination. A few others extol the virtues of his conversations with the CM.

Despite the internal feud, Odia voting public seem content. Development projects abound - schools, hospitals, and roads are transforming the state. As long as the "Rising Odisha" story sells, the masses are happy.

The resentment within the bureaucracy is real. Whether the CM addresses it or lets Pandian's team continue its reign remains to be seen. Only time will tell if "Rising Odisha" can weather this internal storm.