Sudhakar Rao likely to be new EC when Chawla is made CEC
Karnataka chief secretary Sudhakar Rao is likely to take over as election commissioner after incumbent Naveen Chawla becomes the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on April 20.
By Bharti Jain, ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: Karnataka chief secretary Sudhakar Rao is likely to take over as election commissioner after incumbent Naveen Chawla becomes the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on April 20.
Mr Rao, a 1973 batch IAS officer, would have superannuated in the normal course in September this year. However, his appointment as the third EC member would give him a tenure until he reaches 65 years.
Mr Rao, going by the seniority convention, would take over as CEC after election commissioner S Y Quraishi retires in June 2012. He would serve as CEC for 2 years and 3 months. Mr Rao, a Karnataka cadre office, has had three stints at the Centre. He has also served abroad. Mr Rao���s appointment would also ensure the representation of southern India in the Commission, as both Mr Chawla and Mr Quraishi are from north India.
Though CEC N Gopalaswami had recommended the removal of Mr Chawla last month on grounds of partisanship, the government has given enough indications that the seniority convention will be followed and the latter would have a smooth transition to CEC���s post when Mr Gopalaswami demits office on April 20.
Mr Rao is known to have a good rapport with the Congress and the UPA government at the Centre. He superseded Karnataka chief secretary P B Mahishi when he was appointed chief secretary during the spell of President���s rule in the state in 2008, as Mr Mahishi was seen as close to Mr H D Deve Gowda.
Mr Rao���s wife is IFS officer Nirupama Rao, currently the Indian ambassador to China. She is seen as a strong
Mr Rao, a 1973 batch IAS officer, would have superannuated in the normal course in September this year. However, his appointment as the third EC member would give him a tenure until he reaches 65 years.
Mr Rao, going by the seniority convention, would take over as CEC after election commissioner S Y Quraishi retires in June 2012. He would serve as CEC for 2 years and 3 months. Mr Rao, a Karnataka cadre office, has had three stints at the Centre. He has also served abroad. Mr Rao���s appointment would also ensure the representation of southern India in the Commission, as both Mr Chawla and Mr Quraishi are from north India.
Though CEC N Gopalaswami had recommended the removal of Mr Chawla last month on grounds of partisanship, the government has given enough indications that the seniority convention will be followed and the latter would have a smooth transition to CEC���s post when Mr Gopalaswami demits office on April 20.
Mr Rao is known to have a good rapport with the Congress and the UPA government at the Centre. He superseded Karnataka chief secretary P B Mahishi when he was appointed chief secretary during the spell of President���s rule in the state in 2008, as Mr Mahishi was seen as close to Mr H D Deve Gowda.
Mr Rao���s wife is IFS officer Nirupama Rao, currently the Indian ambassador to China. She is seen as a strong
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