VK Pandian, Patnaik's former secretary now holding cabinet minister rank

A day after he took voluntary retirement from government service, Pandian was appointed the Chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) with the rank of Cabinet Minister.

VK Pandian served as the private secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik until Monday.

On Tuesday, a day after he took voluntary retirement from government service, Pandian was appointed the Chairman 5T (Transformational Initiatives) with the rank of Cabinet Minister.

Soon after his voluntary retirement, sources in the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) said Pandian may join the party and may be given a significant role ahead of the assembly elections, which will be due early next year.