TVK regime’s experiment of having two advisers to Vijay alongside Chief Secretary, giving mixed vibes to T.N.’s bureaucratic circles
Apart from the two advisers, the Chief Minister is aided by a team of four IAS officers, one of whom has 30-odd years’ experience
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led regime's plan to have two advisers to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, alongside Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, has sparked mixed reactions in official circles. This is not the first time the State government has appointed advisers since 1989. However, Tamil Nadu's experiences with advisers have not always been pleasant, as differences often arose between advisers and Chief Secretaries.
In late January 1989, former Finance Secretary S. Guhan was appointed adviser to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, serving until June 1990. In May 1998, outgoing Chief Secretary K.A. Nambiar was offered the post but declined. Under the AIADMK government, former Chief Secretary Sheela Balakrishnan served as adviser to Jayalalithaa and her successor O. Panneerselvam for nearly three years, from March 2014 to February 2017.
She was seen as so influential that some officials felt she overshadowed Chief Secretaries during that period.
More recently, former Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam held the position from February to April 2021. The TVK-led regime's appointment of Vishnu Reddy and John Arockiasamy as advisers in May has raised skepticism about whether this arrangement will be smooth. Some officials argue that the demarcation of functions is clear, with no room for conflict, while others believe advisers are there to provide political perspective on policy decisions. Secretaries, they note, take instructions from their Ministers and Chief Secretaries.
However, there is another view that Dr. Sai Kumar is in full control of the administration, sometimes giving the impression that the advisers' positions are less important. During the recent Budget Session of the Assembly, his influence was such that some Ministers were unaware of the Chief Minister's Rule 110 statements. Despite rumors that the TVK-led regime is displeased with the Chief Secretary over the Navodaya school row, others insist that the Chief Secretary enjoys the utmost confidence of the Chief Minister, explaining his ability to assert his position.
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