Power moves in Vidhan Bhavan

Predictably, the nomination of Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtra's next chief minister has seen ministerial hopefuls rushing to his office to pay obeisance. Like a good politician, Fadnavis has not turned anyone away but only asked everyone to wait till October 31 when the state government will be sworn in and the names will be duly declared. But it's the bureaucrats who are just as anxious. With some news reports speculating on ministerial berths, several alert bureaucrats have made it a point to turn up at Vidhan Bhavan to meet possible candidates armed with government booklets and notifications to ensure that their own appointments are confirmed. It is not that these bureaucrats particularly care whether the government in power is BJP-led or a Congress-NCP combine; they are only anxious to retain their places in the corridors of power as personal secretaries, private secretaries, personal assistants and so on.