Narendra Modi’s ‘eyes, ears’, how ‘KK’ became the man for all seasons in Gujarat

WHEN Kuniyil Kailashnathan, 72, bowed out of the Gujarat bureaucracy Saturday, choosing ‘voluntary retirement’ after his term as Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister expired, it marked the end of an era.

KK, as he is popularly known among the bureaucratic and political circles of Gujarat, spent 45 years in various ranks in the state officialdom, emerging eventually as a power centre under the Narendra Modi government in the state. When Modi moved on to the Centre in 2014, he continued to be the Prime Minister’s “eyes and ears” in Gujarat, often referred to as the “Super CM”.

Hence, officials say, the impact of Kailashnathan’s departure is likely to be felt soon in how the Gujarat bureaucracy – especially IAS and IPS officers – functions.

Originally from Kerala and a chemistry post-graduate from Madras University, Kailashnathan is a Gujarat-cadre officer of the 1979 batch. His first posting as Collector was in Surendranagar district, followed by Surat. Later, he served in various departments / corporations of Gujarat, like Rural Development, Industries, Gujarat Maritime Board, Narmada board and Urban Development. The BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) policy of the Gujarat Maritime Board was framed under his tenure, said an IAS officer.

In 1994-95, Kailashnathan was the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat.

During his stint as the Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner between 1999 and 2001, Kailashnathan is credited with having developed the Raska Project for Emergency Water Supply to the city in record time – including laying of a 43-km-long pipeline – to solve a drinking water crisis.

A senior IAS officer said: “The completion of the Raska Project in record time was only due to the vision of Kailashnathan, who could see the impending crisis and came out with the plan.”

It was at the end of 2001 that Modi took over as the CM of Gujarat, and it is no surprise that Kailashnathan soon caught his eyes.

By 2006, Kailashnathan had been appointed to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). He would not leave for 18 years, till Saturday.

In 2013, when he superannuated as Additional Chief Secretary in the CMO, the Modi government in the state created the post of Chief Principal Secretary to the CM for Kailashnathan. Over the next 11 years, he kept getting extensions at regular intervals, and was given charge of Modi’s pet projects like GIFT City, Narmada and now the Gandhi Ashram redevelopment.

Since Modi moved on as PM, three CMs followed him in the post in Gujarat – Anandiben Patel, Vijay Rupani and Bhupendra Patel. But, there was no diminishing of Kailashnathan’s stature.

Said a senior government functionary: “Kailashnathan was seen as more powerful than the Chief Secretary, and at times even the CMs (who replaced Modi). He called the shots in transfers and postings of IAS and IPS officers. His views would be solicited even on matters that did not fall within his purview.”

A senior bureaucrat said: “The important thing about KK was that he moulded himself as per the situation, changing his approach as per the incumbent Chief Secretary. If the Chief Secretary was not very proactive, he would start taking the initiative and pushing things. But, if the Chief Secretary was proactive, KK would take a back seat.”

A senior BJP leader admitted that the clout enjoyed by Kailashnathan meant that he often trod on powerful shoes. “Many BJP leaders did not like it. Now, if he is not replaced by anyone, I would see it as an indication that the CM will have a freer hand in the administration.”

An officer said changes may be seen in the bureaucracy as well. “For better or worse, KK ruled the bureaucracy. So, definitely, a pattern of administration had been set in place… and naturally, there were biases. His favourite officers remained in coveted positions, and those not in his good books continued to be sidelined. The sidelined officers did not get a chance to prove their ability to perform, or not. Now, with KK retired, that pattern is likely to undergo a change… It is possible his (KK's) blue-eyed boys get sidelined.”

While he may have retired from his CMO post, Kailashnathan continues to be Chairman of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited and a member of the Executive Council implementing the Gandhi Ashram redevelopment project. So far, there is no formal word on whether he will continue in the assignments or not.

Meanwhile, speculation is ripe that “KK” is set to be given a bigger role at the Centre, either as a Governor or Lieutenant Governor, or in the Prime Minister's Office. “The kind of experience KK possesses and the level of confidence Modi has in him, it is likely that he will be given some responsibility at the national level,” a senior officer said.

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