TVK government looking for a new Chief Secretary? | Powertrip #165

Welcome to this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter curated exclusively for subscribers of The News Minute and Newslaundry. This week’s edition is by Shabbir Ahmed and Pooja Prasanna.In this week’s edition, we tell you why the TVK is already looking for a new Chief Secretary, even though they got a desired extension for the current one. In Telangana, Revanth Reddy is solidifying his grip over Congress after there wasn't a murmur of protest over Konda Surekha’s sacking. Meanwhile, the DMK is busy drawing up a campaign to put up a strong fight in two bye-elections coming up.Powertrip is a newsletter that senior political reporters of TNM put together every week..Inside TrackExclusive stories, for your eyes onlyTVK leadership unhappy with Chief Secretary? Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Sai Kumar has spent only 17 days of his six-month extension, but the hunt for a new Chief Secretary has already begun. Sources in the government say that the political leadership is unhappy with the recent manoeuvre by the Chief Secretary in backing the setting up of Navodaya schools in Tamil Nadu.Sai Kumar was appointed as Chief Secretary in April 2026 by the Election Commission, replacing the then Chief Secretary Muruganandan. The 1990-batch IAS officer, who was set to retire on August 31, 2026 was given a six-month extension by the Tamil Nadu government.According to senior IAS officers, the Tamil Nadu government had sought only a three-month extension for the officer, but the Union government was strangely magnanimous and granted a six-month extension.This concession for Sai Kumar has raised a lot of questions, as has the subsequent controversy where, based on his orders, the School Education Department, Home and Higher Education Departments were asked to work in tandem to discourage students from attending CJP protests or indulging in activities influenced by the Left parties.Sources also added that Sai Kumar was advocating the establishment of the Union government’s Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, which follow a three-language policy and are also known as Navodaya schools.Tamil Nadu opposes the setting up of Navodaya schools, as it is seen as an attempt to bring Hindi through the back door. There was fierce opposition from the Chief Minister’s Office, and the proposal was shot down.A decision regarding allowing Navodaya schools in Tamil Nadu would have caused huge embarrassment for the TVK government and would have raised questions about its political and ideological commitment. Revanth Reddy’s stocks on a highTelangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s hold over both the government and the state Congress appears stronger than ever. The absence of any significant resistance to Minister Konda Surekha’s removal is being seen as an indicator of his growing authority.Congress sources we spoke to say that Revanth Reddy’s word has increasingly become the final word in Telangana, with even the AICC appearing to give him considerable room to run the government and the party as he sees fit.The clearest indication, however, may be the response, or lack of it, to Surekha’s removal. Despite her seniority and political standing, there was no visible pushback from within the party, even as she alleged discrimination and political isolation.A senior leader told us it was quite surprising that no one even mildly opposed her ouster.The AICC also does not appear to be in a hurry to address the three cabinet vacancies, including Surekha’s, or appoint a working president for the Telangana Congress. That, party insiders say, is another sign that the high command is comfortable allowing Revanth to exercise considerable control over the state unit.The CM has also recently secured the nomination of his long-time confidant Vem Narayana Reddy to the Rajya Sabha. The bye-election test: Pressure mounts on DMKThe DMK, which was the first party to announce its candidates for the upcoming bye-elections in Dharapuram and Madurantakam, is nevertheless worried about its prospects in both constituencies.The top leadership of DMK decided to field its candidates because they wanted to avoid the speculation that the DMK is helping the AIADMK by not fielding its candidates in crucial bye-elections.During the 2026 Assembly elections, the DMK candidate secured 59,000 votes in the Madurantakam constituency and 64,000 votes in the Dharapuram constituency. The DMK leadership has categorically conveyed to its party leaders that they can’t let the party suffer another humiliation.The leaders have been told to ensure that the votes secured by DMK candidates do not go down from what they secured in the 2026 elections. So pressure is mounting on DMK functionaries who are working on the ground.The DMK also sees the election as an opportunity to take on the ruling TVK government. The party is drawing up its campaign strategy, with Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin set to lead the charge.Zero HourA political story of public importanceWhat is the difference between the Census and National Population Register?.There are stark variations in the purpose of both exercises. Combining data collection could lead to complications while also raising legal questions.PowermovesTop 5 political storiesWhat the Justice Ismail Commission actually says about MK Stalin and MISAWhy Kerala is facing power cuts, and why the crisis has become a political fightKarnataka SIR: VIPs get home visits to correct details as ordinary voters travel, wait queuesTelangana SIR: Activists flag vague notices, seek transparency in hearingsBRICS explained: The bloc’s origins, members and its challenge to the global order