Nripendra Misra Quits As PM Modi’s PS; Odisha-Born P K Mishra Could Succeed Him

New Delhi: Odisha-born Pramod Kumar Mishra could take over as the principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Nripendra Misra announced his decision to step down on Friday.

P K is currently serving as the additional principal secretary in the PMO.

Some reports suggested that Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, who was appointed on special duty to the PMO after his third term extension came to an end on Friday, is also a probable candidate for the top job.

Nripendra’s Surprise Move:

Nripendra was reappointed and given the cabinet rank only on May 30, shortly after Modi was re-elected as the PM for the second time. His decision, therefore, came as a big surprise at the bureaucratic level. A government statement in the evening said he has expressed his willingness to be relieved of his assignment. The PM has, however, requested him to continue for another two weeks.

Soon after Nripendra announced his departure from the PMO, the PM took to Twitter and hailed him as one of the “most outstanding officers” in the country.

After serving the PMO assiduously and diligently for over five years and making an indelible contribution to India’s growth trajectory, Shri Nripendra Misra Ji will be embarking on a new phase of his life. My best wishes to him for his future endeavours.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 30, 2019

In his departure statement, Nripendra said: “It has been a privilege to serve the country under Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.  I am deeply grateful to him for this opportunity and the complete confidence he has placed in me”.