Renowned bureaucrat K Kailashnathan (Retd.IAS:1979:GJ), a stalwart in Indian administrative circles, has been granted an unprecedented eleventh extension as the Chief Principal Secretary to the Gujarat Chief Minister, covering a span of six months. Notably, the conclusion of Kailashnathan’s current extension in Gujarat aligns with the commencement of a new government at the center, with speculations indicating a potential return of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term. This prompts questions about whether KK is poised for a prominent role at the national level post the parliamentary elections in 2024—an anticipation only time will unravel.
Retiring on May 31, 2013, after an illustrious 33-year service in the Gujarat cadre, K Kailashnathan, characterized by his unassuming demeanor, was specially appointed as the Chief Principal Secretary—a position tailored for him. Remarkably, his tenure in this role has been consistently extended for more than a decade, underscoring his enduring significance. K Kailashnathan’s unwavering trustworthiness is evident in his tenure as a confidant to four Chief Ministers—Narendra Modi, Anandiben Patel, Vijay Rupani, and Bhupendra Patel.
A testament to his enduring influence, K Kailashnathan, along with Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, both hailing from the Gujarat Cadre IAS, remains one of the two bureaucrats upon whom Narendra Modi has steadfastly relied for over two decades. The indispensable role played by K Kailashnathan in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) in Gujarat highlights Modi’s unwavering trust. Currently, K Kailashnathan shoulders the responsibility of overseeing the politically sensitive and ambitious Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram redevelopment as the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram Memorial Trust (SGAMT).
