K Vijayanand, a 1992 batch IAS officer, is the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. He has taken over from Neerabh Kumar Prasad, who retired on December 31 after attaining the age of superannuation.
But what foxes many is the question as to what makes Vijayanand so special for the Chandrababu Naidu government that it elevated him to this position by superseding six senior civil servants in the state. Added to it is the fact that Vijayanand is older than most of his seniors age-wise, yet he was preferred to fill the top slot.
The six senior IAS officers of the state, CM Naidu overlooked for the top post to lift Vijayanand, are Yerra Srilakshmi (IAS 1988), G Anantha Ramu (1990), and four officers from the 1991 batch—G. Sai Prasad, Ajay Jain, Sumita Dawra, and R.P. Sisodia.
What seems to have weighed heavily in favour of Vijayanand is his superb rapport with the current dispensation. That he has a good rapport with Andhra CM is known to all, but sources in the AP power corridors point out that it is CM Naidu’s son and influential minister Nara Lokesh’s strong support that favoured his appointment as Chief Secretary, despite all the odds. Even before his appointment, Vijayanand was widely believed to have an edge over others because of his close association with Nara Lokesh.
Nara Lokesh is currently the Minister of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, and Human Resource Development and is widely believed to be the second-in-command both in the party and the government.
According to sources, Vijayanand’s prior experience in heading both the Industries and Power departments was highlighted as a key factor supporting his elevation. He worked closely with Lokesh during the latter’s previous tenure as a minister between 2014 and 2019.
Another factor that is said to have tilted the scale in Vijayanand’s favour is that he belongs to a Backward Class (BC) community. So his elevation is supposed to send the right message, as the BC community has been the backbone of the TDP since its formation.
It was Vijayanand’s senior Sai Prasad, who posed the most serious challenge to his elevation to the current position. But those batting for Vijayanand also point out that, unlike Sai Prasad, he has spent his entire career in Andhra Pradesh. Further, there is a faction within the TDP, which did not favour Sai Prasad.
With his superannuation due in November end next year, Vijayanand will be the state’s top bureaucrat for 11 months. But there is a strong possibility of his getting an extension, though, of course, if the Naidu government chooses to.
(BY-Dinesh Kumar)
