Now that police-turned-politico K Annamalai has tendered his resignation from the post of Tamil Nadu BJP president, there is much speculation in saffron party corridors on whether the former IPS officer is being considered for a seat in the Rajya Sabha or a key role in the central leadership. While the development comes amid growing rumours of a potential BJP-AIADMK alliance, party functionaries in New Delhi find themselves anxiously awaiting clarity on the role the leadership has in mind for Annamalai. Some suggest that the latter’s expertise in electoral strategy makes him ideal for a prominent organisational role. Others speculate that Annamalai stepping down might have been strategically prompted by the HQ as part of a broader plan to align with the AIADMK. Annamalai could be fielded in the Tamil Nadu assembly polls next year, many believe. Or, the BJP could be scouting an articulate and impactful speaker to firmly make the party’s case in the Upper House against vociferous Opposition leaders from southern states. What awaits Annamalai, only time will tell.Chile Prez stunned by his welcome!The 39-year-old President of Chile, Boric Font, could barely contain his curiousity and amazement as he arrived in India on a state visit and found himself transfixed by the country’s vastness and diversity. As part of his welcome, the capital was adorned with flags of the visiting State and pictures of dignitaries. The President’s image came up on Kartavya Path. Font humorously told a group of Latin American diplomats that it was slightly awkward to see his own face everywhere; ‘humbled by the warm reception,’ he told dignataries. Font, who prefers sitting in the front seat of his car during visits, was in much awe at the two grand welcomes he recieved within an hour of his arrival to India: the ceremonial guard of honor, and the warm, traditional greeting at his hotel, complete with an ‘aarti’ and ‘sindur’ tilak’ on his forehead. Later, he admitted that even after five days, it was impossible to fully appreciate the cultural richness of India.Who is the next CBI chief?With the two-year term of incumbent Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Praveen Sood coming to an end next month, the North Block races to find a replacement. The grapevine suggests that the government may once again pull a surprise by selecting the CBI chief from among senior IPS officers, who have no prior experience with the CBI, as it did in case of Sood, a 1986-batch officer of Karnataka cadre. Sood had never served with the CBI until he was chosen as its director owing to his experience in the state vigilance department. Presently, 1989-batch IPS of MP cadre Ajay Sharma, with a very decorated stint as DGP, Economic Offences Wing of MP police, and 1988-batch IPS of Tamil Nadu cadre Sanjay Arora, long considered the ‘Operation Man’ in state and central police forces and presently serving as Delhi Police Commissioner, are considered front-runners to replace Sood as CBI director.Is PM’s PS heading to London?With 2014-batch Indian Foreign Service officer Nidhi Tiwari taking over as the new Private Secretary (PS) to the Prime Minister, there are talks that incumbent PS Vivek Kumar, a 2004-batch IFS officer, is set for a move to London as Deputy High Commissioner at the Indian mission there. Incidentally, Tiwari joined the service in 2014 when her predecessor Kumar was moved to the Prime Minister’s Office as Deputy Secretary. During his tenure in the PMO, Kumar was empanelled to the level of Joint Secretary and subsequently appointed as the PS to the Prime Minister in May 2022 replacing 1997-batch IFS officer Sanjeev Kumar Singla.
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