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