The Prime Minister’s Man — In New Pmo Power Equation, It’s PK Mishra Who Calls The Shots

It was a smooth transition for P.K. Mishra, the former additional principal secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), when he took over as the principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11 September, after his predecessor Nripendra Misra stepped down.

And in the over 60 days since he has taken charge, the 71-year-old retired Gujarat cadre bureaucrat has brought in his own style of functioning.

Unlike Misra, who used to chair all meetings, especially those involving infrastructure, the soft-spoken Mishra has a slightly decentralised style.

He does not chair all meetings, senior bureaucrats that ThePrint spoke to said, on the condition that they not be named. In the new scheme of things at the PMO, former cabinet secretary P.K. Sinha, who was appointed principal advisor to the PM, attends all meetings.

“But it’s Mishra who takes a final call before the matter is put before the PM,” a person familiar with the matter said. Mishra also has direct access to the prime minister, the source added.

“Mishra works closely with both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on all matters, including political ones,” said a second person aware of the matter.

There is a comfort level that Mishra has with Modi, having worked closely with him since the time Modi was Gujarat chief minister, the second person said.

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