Babus, mantris & buzz: TN CM Vijay eyeing prime ministership?

TN CM Vijay eyeing prime ministership?

Although the Lok Sabha elections are still three years away, party workers and supporters of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) are eyeing a national role for its chief, C. Vijay Joseph.

Recent discussions, highlighted by India Today, suggest that several prominent TVK leaders have begun publicly projecting Vijay as a potential prime ministerial contender from South India. The emerging narrative centres on a southern leader stepping onto the national stage to address regional representation and broader governance priorities.

Meanwhile, the Congress continues to project Rahul Gandhi as its main face for the top post. While electoral alliances and campaign strategies will take shape closer to the polls, these early declarations reflect attempts by regional and national parties to shape the political discourse and signal their long-term ambitions.

Huge Chinese delegation of 400+ led by President Xi to attend New Delhi BRICS Summit

Logistical preparations are being stepped up in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12-13, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to make his first visit to India in seven years.

Chinese advance teams and local hosts are coordinating security protocols and arranging accommodation across major hotels in the capital. President Xi is expected to travel with a delegation of around 400 officials, more than double the size of the Chinese contingent during his previous visit in 2019.

The extensive logistical preparations come as both countries work to stabilise bilateral relations following the deadly 2020 border clashes and subsequent diplomatic friction. Despite continuing tensions, coordination over accommodation, transport and security for the large delegation signals a gradual resumption of high-level diplomatic exchanges between Beijing and New Delhi. The preparations also follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to China.

Raghav Chaddha unlikely to get any position?

Political observers believe that former AAP leader Raghav Chaddha, who has now joined the BJP, is unlikely to get any important position in the party or government soon.

Will Shamik Bhattacharya, Amit Malviya join the Modi Cabinet?

Whispers doing the rounds in the corridors of power suggest that West Bengal BJP chief Shamik Bhattacharya and Amit Malviya are likely to be inducted into the Modi Cabinet whenever the Prime Minister expands his Council of Ministers.

Ganga Expressway Expansion: DMs of 12 UP districts to apprise CMO?

In a major infrastructure decision, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the extension of the Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Haridwar. The extension will provide direct connectivity between Prayagraj and Haridwar, linking two major spiritual and economic centres across state borders.

The project envisages a modern six-lane extension stretching approximately 100 kilometres within Uttar Pradesh. An additional 30-kilometre stretch in Uttarakhand will also be developed by the Uttar Pradesh government. The existing Ganga Expressway passes through 12 districts in Uttar Pradesh and serves as an important arterial route for trade and transit.

To ensure efficient execution and administrative oversight, the District Magistrates of all 12 affected districts are scheduled to submit comprehensive work-done reports directly to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

BUREAUCRACY

Puducherry: Youngest Collector

Ishita Rathi, IAS, District Collector of Karaikal, is the youngest District Collector in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Born in 1996, Rathi belongs to the 2022 batch of the AGMUT Cadre.

Will another woman IPS officer succeed Sonali Mishra as DG, RPF?

Will another woman IPS officer, Samapt Meena, succeed Sonali Mishra as DG, RPF, on November 1? Meena, a 1994-batch Jharkhand cadre IPS officer who is presently Special Director, CBI, is unlikely to return to her parent cadre. If appointed DG, RPF, she would become the second woman to lead the force in its history. Another woman IPS officer, Anupama Chandra, currently Director General (Investigation), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), is also seen as a strong candidate for the post. A couple of 1993- and 1994-batch IPS officers are also aspiring for the position.

CBI posts 2 IRS officers as Superintendent of Police

Two IRS (C&IT) officers have been posted as SPs in the CBI on deputation for a period of four years. They are Prabhakaran S, a 2016-batch officer, and Aditya Bhardwaj, a 2017-batch officer.

Vivek Raj Singh appointed DDG, NCB (UPDATED)

The ACC has approved the appointment of Vivek Raj Singh, IPS (Assam Meghalaya: 2006), as Deputy Director General in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on deputation for a period of five years.

Vikram Khalate appointed DDG, NCB (UPDATED)

The ACC has approved the appointment of Vikram M Khalate, IPS (Nagaland: 2008), as Deputy Director General in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on deputation for a period of five years.

IAS continuing field-administration expansion

Recent administrative moves indicate a continuing trend of posting relatively young IAS officers to urban development, district implementation and programme-management assignments rather than restricting their initial years to conventional secretariat roles. The Punjab and Uttar Pradesh orders are examples of this trend.

Telangana Govt cancels deputations of IFoS officers

The Telangana government has cancelled and withdrawn the deputation arrangements of several IFoS officers. Whispers suggest that seven IFS officers are currently working outside the Forest Department against a sanctioned strength of 81. The development indicates increasing scrutiny of forest-cadre deployment and the use of IFoS officers outside their core department.

Abdul Jabbar, IPS, posted to J&K

An MHA order reportedly posted Abdul Jabbar (IPS AGMUT: 2008) to the Jammu & Kashmir segment of the Joint AGMUT Cadre with immediate effect. The officer reported back to the cadre on August 24, and the period before the posting order was treated as “awaiting posting.”

Internal personnel movement in MHA

MHA's current circular page shows the recent end-of-tenure leave of Deepak Kumar (IDAS 2010), Director, MHA, dated August 24, alongside the earlier relieving of Joint Secretary Praveen Kumar Rai and the appointment of Deputy Secretary Ishaan Sharma.

Selection Committee empowers Govt to appoint chairpersons of tribunals

On the recommendation of a Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted by the National Tribunals Commission, the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2026, provides that Chairpersons of Tribunals specified in the First Schedule shall be appointed by the Central Government.

The committee recommended that a Tribunal be headed by the Chairperson of the Commission and also include a Technical Member. Besides a retired Chief Justice of a High Court, a Secretary to the Government of India nominated by the Central Government and two expert members will comprise the tribunal. The Secretary to the Commission will function as Member Secretary.

(DISCLAIMER: Correctness of this content is the responsibility of the author. By arrangement with whispersinthecorridors.com)