For nearly 25 years now, Naveen Patnaik has been the benign and benevolent face of the state of Odisha looming large on hoardings, pamphlets and government policy papers. They say his emblematic hand wave is enough to sway women voters. Son of the legendary Biju Patnaik, he has managed to hold on to the state for two decades and five terms despite not being fluent in Odiya, barely campaigning and coming into politics a rank outsider.
But this story is not about Naveen Babu. But another outsider who now holds sway over the polity and bureaucracy of Odisha - VK Pandian. A former bureaucrat elevated to the level of a trusted General and being whispered about as the future chief minister of the state. So, many questions arise: Who is Pandian? Why is he seen as de facto CM? Is he being groomed to take over from Naveen Patnaik?
Pandian began his career as an IAS officer in 2000, soon after Odisha was hit by a devastating super cyclone. In 2002, he was appointed Sub Collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district where he secured the successful implementation of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers.
In 2004, as Additional District Magistrate in Rourkela, he headed the Rourkela Development Agency (RDA), which was bankrupt for over 20 years and had not been able to build homes for the people who had invested their life's savings with them. Pandian did the rope trick as the RDA was brought to a 15-crore surplus and within five months of his taking charge they were able to return the money to the people.
In 2005, he became one of the youngest District Collectors in India after being appointed at Mayurbhanj. While there he was lauded for his initiatives to reduce Naxalism in the region.
Subsequently, Pandian was appointed collector of Ganjam in 2007. The highlight of his tenure was that bank payment of wages in NREGS was first taken up in the Ganjam district, which was later implemented throughout the country.
It was during this stint that Pandian caught the chief minister's attention and began working closely with him.
Cut to October 2023, Pandian took voluntary retirement from his bureaucratic role, joined the Biju Janata Dal and was appointed chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) holding a cabinet minister rank. Pandian's VRS (voluntary retirement) was reportedly approved within 48 hours. Prior to this, he served as the Private Secretary to Naveen Patnaik for 12 years.
Pandian has been touring the state incessantly for the last 1.5 years or more. He has visited almost every block and district to "connect with the people."
In March 2023, as a part of the Chief Minister's initiative, Mo Sarkar or My Government, he toured all 30 districts and 147 constituencies of Odisha in order to personally engage, listen to, and collect local grievances.
In rare interviews Pandian is understated. The response to his tour was overwhelming and it is here he recognised the love of the people and his inner calling to serve them unfettered by bureaucratic regulations.
Pandian has his own style of operation. He usually appears alone on the dais. Local leaders are given the short shrift. And rarely are ministers seen in public next to him. And now he is appearing on posters with the party emblem. Just him and the BJD party symbol. The message being conveyed is very clear: This man is heir apparent. He is the super boss.
And the murmurings of discontent are growing louder. His not being an Odiya is being projected as a betrayal of the locals. Many resent Pandian's meteoric rise but they can do little when he has the backing of Naveen Patnaik. In sharp contrast, the public feedback is good for Pandian. He is popular in the heartland of Odisha ever since he chose to travel, connect, and remove bottlenecks in the path of development.
Many say he works tirelessly. Pandian is an athlete, a middle-distance runner with an interest in sports. Those in the know say he finds time to meditate daily and run 10KM weekly. Possibly that is how he finds the stamina to work tirelessly.
With Odisha set to complete 100 years in 2036, transformation became the buzz word. And the man deemed most suitable to lead the mission was Pandian.
- Pandian played a key role in implementing several of Naveen Patnaik's missions -
- Mo Sarkar - an initiative to establish the dignity of the common citizen in government offices
- 5T - a charter of governance which emphasised transparency, technology, teamwork, time-leading and transformation
- Reviewed the progress of the Srimandir Parikrama project, which aimed at improving the experience of pilgrims
- Renovation and restoration of ancient and revered temples
- High school transformation project, benefiting lakhs of students
- The hospital transformation included setting up of many new medical colleges
- BSKY - health assurance for aam-admi with a special focus on women
- Redressal of people grievances
State observers say the Patnaik-Pandian combination is brutally professional. It is the vision of Patnaik and the execution of Pandian. And, yes, one more thing: For the past few years, Pandian doesn't tuck in his shirt giving him a more casual look. And one that makes him appear to be a local.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
