Dilli Ka Babu: The PM's men in Delhi

Suddenly there are rumours that K. Kailashnathan, chief principal secretary to Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel, could possibly now surface in Delhi. Those in the know say that he may be reluctant to move out of his home turf. He is one of the few babus of the state who worked closely with Narendra Modi for almost a decade, and for all purposes continues to the Prime Minister’s man in Gujarat even after retirement. This, even as many other colleagues and Modi insiders have moved to Delhi in a cavalcade.

Perhaps Mr Modi has special plans for Mr Kailashnathan, who sources like to point out, was very useful to him even as a backroom political strategist in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. It’s rumoured that he helped him win the tussle for nomination as the BJP’s Prime Minister nominee. Will it be as a possible replacement for P.K. Mishra, or in addition to him? That’s not clear yet.
There is yet another key Gujarat babu and Modi confidante Girish C. Murmu about whom Delhi still continues to speculate.

Though he was brought to the capital and is currently joint secretary for expenditure in the finance ministry, his proximity to the Prime Minister, has many convinced that he is slated for higher things. Perhaps this could inch his being named the next director of the Enforcement Directorate? Remember, it’s currently being headed by IPS officer Karnal Singh, who’s not fully “regularised” as it were! Watch this space for updates.

Delhi cops face PMO heat

Delhi Police has recently got rapped on the knuckles by none other than the all-powerful Prime Minister’s Office. This should normally cause some stir within senior ranks in the force. The reason, according to sources, is the delay in appointments of 60 social workers to act as counsellors which the Delhi Police had mooted last year. Innocuous it may seem, but hang on!

Though the proposal was moved by then police commissioner B.S. Bassi, it’s his successor Alok Kumar Verma who will now have to explain why despite approvals from the ministry of home affairs and the PMO, the Delhi Police has still not submitted its final proposal for something it has been very keen on.

Sources say, the PMO pulled up the ministry which, in turn, turned the screws on Mr Verma. Apparently, Chitra Narayan, under secretary in the ministry, has now directed Mr Verma to point out the delay. In a letter, she has further stated that the Prime Minister’s principal secretary has also clearly stated that the appointments shouldn’t be delayed any further, which means the Prime Minister himself is on the case. So Delhi Police will need to get its act together fast!