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Putting speculations to rest, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath appointed Manoj Kumar Singh as the new chief secretary of the state. He took over from Durga Shanker Mishra, who was not granted a fourth extension beyond June 30. For a while, there was widespread speculation in Lucknow about the possibility of another extension for Mr Mishra.

Sources told DKB that the state government had sent a proposal to the Centre seeking an extension for Mr Mishra beyond June 30. However, the Centre indicated that no such proposal had reached Raisina Hill, effectively ruling out any further extension for Mr Mishra. Notably, when Mr Mishra met with Union home minister Amit Shah in mid-June, a former Union secretary from Uttar Pradesh suggested it marked the end of Mr Mishra’s tenure as Uttar Pradesh’s chief secretary.



Certainly, the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh has become increasingly fluid following poor results for the ruling party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Mishra's unexpected meeting with Amit Shah had fuelled rumours that he might stay on, by securing another extension as chief secretary. That was not to be.

But with Manoj Singh’s appointment, Yogi has signalled to the Centre that he will continue to run the state government in his own chosen way. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to keep some of his old team while bringing in fresh faces into his Cabinet is all about continuity and stability. This can be seen in the makeup of his Cabinet and the.

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