Why Modi govt is determined to take Nripendra Misra along

Feature

oi-Shubham

The issue of Nripendra Misra appointment as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a controversy in India's parliamentary politics. The Modi government has remained firm on appointing Mishra, a 1967-batch IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh and a former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI ), so much so, that it even took the ordinance route to effect a change in the TRAI law.

But why is the new government so determined to accommodate Misra?

Here are five possible reasons.

First is the prime minister's own style of functioning. Modi is known to be a firm administrator and he likes to keep in touch with bureaucrats who serve his ideas well. During his stint as the chief minister of Gujarat, too, Modi was choosy about bureaucratic machinery for a smooth execution of the government's plan.

Second is Misra's image as a bureaucrat. Misra, 69, is known for his honest and fearless approach. He is also a man who has a reputation of taking quick decisions. Modi might have found his best man in Mishra owing to these qualities.

Thirdly, Misra is a man of huge experience. The Harvard-educated public administrator served in Uttar Pradesh government as well as in various departments at the Centre. He has served in the commerce ministry, the fertilizers department besides in the TRAI. Modi, himself a newcomer at the Centre, might have found the perfect combination in Misra to take his ideas forward.

Fourthly, Misra's experience in the commerce ministry gives him an added advantage to take up national interests in international forums like the WTO. His rapport with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and former Union telecom minister Arun Shourie also help his candidature.

However, the most significant reason for the Modi government to pursue Misra's case is perhaps his UP connection. Misra was once the principal secretary to former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh and was known to be close to him. He had also grown a working relation with senior BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh, the current Union home minister and Kalraj Mishra, who were a part of the Kalyan Singh government. These two leaders have reportedly backed Mishra's candidature as the principal secretary to PM Modi.

The BJP and its alliance would also target the next assembly election in UP after its terrific performance in the last Lok Sabha election in the state and Misra, a localite, would be of great help in the task of strategising.