Prime Minister’s Office senses need for a spokesperson six months after taking charge

NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister’s Office is scouting around for a spokesperson, albeit from within the governmental system, six months after the NDA government took charge. According to top sources within the government, the PMO has, it seems, "recognised the necessity of having a spokesperson, looking at the way the news cycle goes on, nowadays".

Unlike in previous regimes where professional journalists would be considered, government sources said that the PMO had sounded out bureaucrats who have had some experience in dealing with the media. ET knows of at least two who had been sounded out for the job. "One of them, a senior man who handles the media for a high profile ministry has refused the offer, while another has asked for some time to consider it," said a top government source.

The spokesperson’s position would not be equated as that of a media advisor, but as someone who would articulate the PMO’s position whenever the need comes up. "The PMO has been efficient with regard to putting put timely tweets and statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but when, say, an issue like the Supreme Court’s remarks on black money or something comes up, a spokesperson would be much more effective especially with regard to television," said the source.