Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has begun strengthening his administrative structure by appointing special advisors to his government, including an Andhra Pradesh native with close political and personal links to influential families in the Telugu states.
The Tamil Nadu government recently appointed Vishnu Reddy and John Arokiasamy as Special Advisors to the Chief Minister.
Among them, Vishnu Reddy, whose full name is Vishnuvardhan Reddy, hails from Erradoddipalle village in Kalikiri mandal of Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district.
He has reportedly been assigned responsibilities connected to public programmes and general administration.
Vishnu Reddy’s family is related to former united Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nallari Kiran Kumar Reddy.
Political sources say Vishnu Reddy is connected to Kiran Kumar Reddy through extended family ties.
Vishnu Reddy is said to be one of Chief Minister Vijay’s closest associates and has reportedly played an important role behind the scenes during the actor-turned-politician’s transition into active politics.
Political circles in Tamil Nadu had earlier discussed his influence after he accompanied Vijay during meetings with the Governor to seek permission to form the government.
There has also been speculation that Vishnu Reddy contributed strategically and financially to the growth of Vijay’s political outfit, TVK, apart from overseeing aspects related to Vijay’s film affairs.
Vishnu Reddy has reportedly been involved in the granite business for nearly 15 years and has been based in Chennai during this period.
His father, Ramanarayana Reddy, has a political background and earlier served as sarpanch of Addavaripalle. He later became an MPTC member and vice-chairman of the Kalikiri Mandal Parishad.
The family is also said to possess significant business and land assets.
Observers say Vijay’s decision to appoint close confidants as advisors reflects his efforts to build a tightly controlled political and administrative network as a first-time Chief Minister.
Earlier, Vijay had faced criticism from alliance partners after appointing astrologer Ratan Pandit as an advisor, forcing the government to withdraw the order.
