Vijayanand May Get Six-Month Extension as AP Chief Secretary!

YSRCP chief and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy often faces severe criticism from current Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his son, Nara Lokesh, over his five-year rule. However, the coalition government led by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has surprised its own leaders by appointing Vijayanand — who was seen as one of the prominent officials during Jagan’s tenure and is accused of favoring companies close to him, especially in the power sector — as the new Chief Secretary (CS) following the retirement of Nirabh Kumar Prasad. While in opposition, TDP leaders had strongly opposed the Adani–SECI agreement, but Vijayanand, during Jagan’s regime, defended it as a forward-looking move made for the welfare of farmers. The same TDP that once alleged the deal would burden the public with ₹1 lakh crore has now settled for the stance that even if ₹97,000 crore burden falls on people, it’s acceptable — since otherwise, the state would have to pay a ₹3,000 crore penalty.

In an unprecedented move, the Andhra Pradesh government has now assigned Vijayanand, while continuing as Chief Secretary, the additional charge of Special Chief Secretary (Energy Department). Besides that, he also continues to serve as Chairman of APGENCO and TRANSCO. Vijayanand’s term as Chief Secretary ends later this month. Now, a key question being discussed in government circles is whether he will get an extension as CS or if Sai Prasad, who is currently the Special Chief Secretary for Water Resources, will be appointed to the top post. Sai Prasad is said to have high hopes for the position. However, most officials believe Vijayanand is likely to get an initial six-month extension. If, for any reason, the extension doesn’t go through, there is strong speculation that Vijayanand will be appointed as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). In that case, Sai Prasad might be offered the CS post.

According to reports, Sai Prasad is pressing the government to honor its earlier assurance of appointing him as Chief Secretary. Interestingly, officials say Vijayanand himself appears confident of receiving the extension. It is also being said within the bureaucracy that as long as the coalition government remains in power, Vijayanand will continue to play a crucial role in the power sector, and even after his retirement, Chandrababu Naidu intends to utilize his services further. The APERC Chairman post has long remained vacant and is being handled by an in-charge official. Once clarity emerges regarding Vijayanand’s extension, the final decision on who gets that post will also become clear. Party insiders say that government leaders have openly told party members that this appointment is being made as a gesture of recognition for Vijayanand’s past services to the administration.