On October 23, 2023, Pandian, the 2000-batch IAS officer who as private secretary to the Odisha CM was considered the “most powerful bureaucrat” in the state, took voluntary retirement. A day later, he was appointed chairman of Nabin Odisha and Vision 5T, the Patnaik government’s flagship initiatives, with the rank of Cabinet minister.

On October 27, there was an unusual rush outside ‘Naveen Niwas’, the CM’s residence in Bhubaneswar, as representatives of civil services associations turned up to wish Pandian on his new role. Soon, the 48-year-old turned up in his trademark white shirt and trousers and shook hands with each of his visitors and warmly accepted their bouquets.

It wasn’t a very unusual sight for those who have watched Pandian over the last few months as he took on a public role, touring all 147 Assembly constituencies on the CM’s behalf and attending ‘grievance meetings’ where he interacted with people, addressed them and announced schemes like politicians do. During these meetings, for which he took his own camera crew along, the once camera-shy officer would ensure no key moment went uncaptured. On Instagram, Pandian has more than 1 million followers.

During his 23 years in power, Naveen Patnaik has always handpicked trusted officials to help him with running the state. None, however, has enjoyed the status Pandian does.

Originally from Tamilnadu, Pandian made his mark as collector of the state’s larger districts, such as Mayurbhanj and Ganjam, which is Patnaik’s home district. This is believed to have drawn Patnaik’s attention to Pandian, and by May 2011, he found himself in the CM’s office as his private secretary. Pandian continued in the post until his retirement from service on October 23 and, unlike many of his colleagues, never chose Central deputation.

What eased Pandian’s entry into Patnaik’s inner sanctum was the falling out between the CM and Pyarimohan Mohapatra, an IAS officer turned politician turned key advisor, around 2012. Many feared the BJD would slip out of Patnaik’s hands given the clout Mohapatra wielded in the party. But Patnaik surprised the doomsayers, with many crediting Pandian for steering the ship in Mohapatra’s absence.

Key services and projects of almost all departments are now covered under 5T, which is directly supervised by Pandian and his team at the Chief Minister’s Office. During Covid, Pandian took the lead in updating the state’s healthcare facilities and was seen by the CM’s side during meetings held virtually.

Pandian was present when Bihar CM Nitish Kumar met Patnaik in May this year and when West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee called on the CM in March.