Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent interaction with Manohar Lal Khattar, on the eve of Khattar’s resignation as the Chief Minister of Haryana, stirred nostalgic sentiments within the former leader. Modi fondly recalled their shared past, reminiscing about the days when they would traverse the roads together on a motorcycle. Party insiders suggest that Modi’s enduring warmth and respect for Khattar may have provided valuable support to the latter during turbulent political times. Interestingly, the newly appointed Chief Minister, Nayab Saini, also shares a history of camaraderie with Khattar. Sources reveal that during Khattar’s tenure as the organization’s general secretary in Haryana, Saini often served as his chauffeur, further strengthening their bond. Khattar, in turn, fondly reminisces about the early days of his political journey, during which Saini played a crucial role as his assistant.

Amidst discussions surrounding the appointment of candidates to fill the two vacant posts in the Election Commission, speculation regarding potential contenders has intensified. Recent legislation mandates that candidates must have held or currently hold the rank of Secretary to the Government of India, and Election Commissioners can serve until the age of 65, thereby narrowing down the list of eligible candidates. Among the prominent candidates vying for these prestigious positions are Nitin Gupta, Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) who received an extension in September 2023 until June of this year; and Gyanesh Kumar, a retired 1988-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer who previously served as Secretary in the Cooperation Ministry until January 31 of this year.