The Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Durga Shankar Mishra, is set to retire on 30th June. There is strong speculation in the power corridors of Delhi and Lucknow that he might not receive an extension this time. His meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah on June 17 sparked further buzz and various interpretations among the bureaucracy.
One rumor is that Mishra might not get an extension as Chief Secretary but is likely to be assigned a significant role soon. This belief stems from his close ties with the BJP central leadership and his successful track record, including delivering five metros in five cities as Secretary of Housing and Urban Affairs. This performance led to his repatriation to Uttar Pradesh and subsequent appointment as Chief Secretary to streamline the state’s bureaucratic machinery and ensure government policies reached the grassroots, considering Uttar Pradesh’s size and political significance.
Another speculation is that Mishra might be appointed governor of a poll-bound state such as Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, or J&K, given the importance of upcoming state elections for the BJP. According to this theory, the BJP will not be complacent and will not leave any gaps in making up for the losses caused by the Lok Sabha election.
A third theory suggests that Mishra’s meeting with Amit Shah was merely a courtesy call before his retirement. Mishra has been a key performer since the Modi government came to power in 2014, holding various significant positions. This meeting might just be a final farewell.
However, the Modi government is known for its unexpected decisions regarding bureaucratic appointments.
