Narendra Modi government mulls top position for Kuniyil Kailashnathan

GANDHINAGAR: After several of his juniors made it to the corridors of power in Delhi, it may be the return of Kuniyil Kailashnathan, a 1979-batch bureaucrat in Gujarat who is said to have been one of the most trusted lieutenants of Narendra Modi.

People aware of the development said Kailashnathan, or KK, may soon be given a top position in the national capital or be placed as governor in some state.

“Already several senior IAS officers from the state have been taken to Delhi and KK may therefore not find a position in Delhi,” one of the persons quoted earlier told ET.

“However, he may be sent as a governor to either some state in the North East or in southern India.” A source in the state government said, “KK is likely to shift to Delhi soon”, adding that his rehabilitation will be decided at the top level. “But things are hotting up for sure.”

Kailashnathan had been Modi’s most crucial link with bureaucrats in Gujarat. After his retirement on May 31, 2013, he was made chief principal secretary to the chief minister on contractual basis for two years beginning June 1. KK is learnt to have played crucial roles in strategising during the last two Assembly elections and has been involved in political liaising on Prime Minister Modi’s behalf during the 2014 campaign as well.