Odisha's Political Revolution: Unveiling VK Pandian's Ascendance

Odisha, a state renowned for its vibrant political tapestry and eclectic demographic makeup has been under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for nearly a quarter of a century. However, recent political developments indicate a transformative period in Odisha's politics, marked by the emergence of VK Pandian, a former bureaucrat and close aide to Patnaik, as a significant figure. Who is VK Pandian? Why has he become the most talked about individual in Odisha? Among the many IAS officers working in Odisha, why was he specifically chosen by the Chief Minister to be his political strategist? Is he positioned as the next successor to Naveen Patnaik? Let's dive into the captivating world of Odisha politics.

Decoding Odisha Politics

Odisha occupies an important place in the country having a sizable concentration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe population. According to the 2011 census, Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Scheduled Castes (SC) together constitute 39.98% of Odisha's total population, forming a significant vote bank. In the midst of appeasing the crucial vote bank, concerns over law and order have risen with the state struggling with high inflation and corruption allegations, alongside employment challenges despite new industrial projects, but regardless of this, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has dominated the state's political landscape since 2000, winning five consecutive terms in the Legislative Assembly. Political sphere in Odisha Lok Sabha did not change even after a massive victory for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the Modi wave in 2014 allowing Patnaik’s BJD to win 20 out of 21 seats and securing 44.77% vote share and winning 117 out of 147 seats in Odisha Vidhan Sabha with a vote share of 43.35%.

Following the 2019 Assembly elections, Naveen Patnaik took the oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha for his fifth consecutive term securing a landslide victory, for 112 out of 147 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the principal opposition with 23 seats. Despite the BJP's efforts to challenge the BJD's dominance, Patnaik's popularity and the BJD's extensive network of welfare schemes ensured their stronghold in the state. Between all these changing politics and key issues, rising through the ranks in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and making his space inside the cabinet of Naveen Patnaik is VK Pandian who emerged as the most trusted officer and now a political strategist who has gained everyone’s attention in this ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Emergence of VK Pandian

Pandian, a 2000-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, began his administrative career in 2002 as the sub-collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi. Three years later, he was appointed as the collector of Mayurbhanj. In 2007, he became the collector of Ganjam, which includes Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's constituency, Hinjili. It was during his tenure in Ganjam that Pandian grew close to the Chief Minister. He soon became a trusted officer in the Chief Minister's office and was later promoted to Patnaik's Private Secretary. Though he remained behind the scenes until 2019, Pandian began to take centre stage after the 2019 elections, playing a crucial role in the BJD's stunning performance. Since then, he has been hailed as Patnaik's political strategist. By early 2023, signs of Pandian's political future became evident as he started touring districts to promote the BJD's development projects. His creation of the 5T Initiatives Department, which integrated all wings of the government, established him as a powerful figure in the administration. He was also the mastermind behind several major projects in the state, including the Sri Jagannath Heritage Corridor, temple redevelopments, school and college transformation programs, health sector initiatives, and rural and urban development projects. Always seen in public with Patnaik, Pandian reportedly controls access to the Chief Minister, with most ministers needing his permission to meet with Patnaik.

Odisha’s Political Arena during 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Odisha started polling on 13th May in the 4th Phase of Lok Sabha election and will conclude both Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polling on 1st June 2024 with 21 Lok Sabha and 147 Vidhan Sabha seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have become principal rivals in Odisha breaking away after 15 years of alliance in 2024. The state unit of the BJP publicly opposed the move but the party appeared willing to give up 15 years of an anti-BJD campaign that gained it the status of the principal opposition in Odisha.

In the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections, political tensions between the BJD and BJP escalated. The BJP, led by leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, accused the BJD government of corruption and mismanagement. The BJP also made a pointed remark about Naveen Patnaik's health, suggesting that he should consider taking a break from his duties as Chief Minister to prioritise his well-being and criticised his party for projecting a leader whose health is deteriorating. They also targeted Pandian, labelling him an outsider and questioning his influence over Patnaik. The BJP's narrative of 'Odiya asmita' (Odia pride) became a central theme in their campaign, portraying Pandian as an outsider trying to take over the state's leadership. This insider-versus-outsider rhetoric aimed to undermine the BJD's credibility and create a rift between Patnaik and his long-time aide. But is it true that VK Pandian is successor and heir to the long legacy of the Patnaiks’?

Speculations About Pandian's Political Future

In November 2023, Pandian took voluntary retirement from the All-India Civil Services and was subsequently appointed to a Cabinet Minister rank in the Odisha government and later as a key strategist to Patnaik. This move fueled speculations about him potentially succeeding Patnaik as the next Chief Minister. However, both Patnaik and Pandian have publicly denied these rumours, emphasising their commitment to Odisha's development and dismissing any plans for a leadership transition. Pandian, in various interviews, has expressed his dedication to Patnaik's vision and values, referring to himself as a disciple of the Chief Minister. He has reiterated that his role is to support Patnaik's administration and deliver on its promises to the people of Odisha.

Now as Odisha concludes the 2024 elections, the dynamics between the BJD and BJP, coupled with the speculation surrounding Pandian's future, will shape the state's political trajectory.

Conclusion

The political scenario in Odisha is at a critical juncture, with the rise of VK Pandian marking a significant shift in the state's governance. If the Chief Minister position isn't in his future, what role is Pandian expected to play? Will he be given any important ministry to lead or will he stay behind the curtains controlling Patnaik and his next term as Chief Minister? The answers to all these questions remain to be seen. All eyes are on the developments leading up to June 4, 2024, when the political terrain of Odisha becomes more clear.

Shreyansh Joshi/ New Delhi
Contributing reports by Anushka & Manaswita, researchers at Polstrat