The political grapevine is abuzz with speculation about potential good news for a few senior bureaucrats, as changes are reportedly on the horizon for the Lieutenant Governor positions in Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir.
This development has sparked a quiet yet intense race among top civil servants eyeing the prestigious roles. Among the prominent names being considered are Rakesh Singh, Rajesh Khullar, Sanjay Mishra, Rajiv Gauba, Amitabh Kant, Sunil Arora, Ajay Bhalla (currently Governor of Manipur), and West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose.
Among them, Karnataka Cadre IAS Rakesh Singh is considered the leading contender, primarily due to his prior administrative experience in the national capital. Rajesh Khullar is the second top probable contender.
However, Ajay Bhalla’s appointment in Delhi may also be contingent on the formation of a new government in Manipur. There are indications that the Centre may appoint a former IAS or IPS officer with experience in Northeast affairs to succeed him as Manipur’s Governor.
Profile of Rakesh Singh
Rakesh Singh is a distinguished retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1989 Karnataka cadre, known for his extensive contributions to urban development and public administration in the state.
Rakesh Singh, a senior IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, has held key roles in urban development, including Additional Chief Secretary for UDD and Water Resources. He served as Administrator of BBMP and Chairman of BDA, significantly contributing to Bengaluru’s urban planning. As MD of BMRCL, he led the city’s metro expansion. Post-retirement, he was appointed Chairperson of Karnataka RERA in 2024. His nearly 35-year career is marked by impactful leadership in infrastructure and governance.
Rajesh Khullars Profile
Rajesh Khullar is a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Haryana cadre, currently serving as Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Haryana. He previously held key positions including Principal Secretary to the CM and Executive Director at the World Bank representing India and neighboring countries. Khullar has also served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and held various administrative roles in Haryana. Known for his administrative acumen, he has been instrumental in implementing reforms in governance and infrastructure development.
