Vajpayee sends his man to I&B as his remote

Kulkarni’s appointment is being seen as Vajpayee’s way of ensuring that the BJP-led NDA Government gets proper media exposure in the coming days. Though, in principle, he will report to acting Principle Information Officer Sahib Singh, it is learnt that all major media policies will be decided in consultation with the PM’s man.

Ministry officials said Kulkarni’s main job will be to coordinate between the acting PIO and the PMO.

It is also believed that the PMO had forwarded some names for the post of PIO with N Krishna’s tenure coming to an end last month. The I&B ministry had settled for an acting PIO instead.

Though ministry officials ruled out any crossing of lines between the two information advisors, it will be seen in the coming days how smoothly this arrangement works.