Patil wants Maharashtrian as home secy

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil wants Food Corporation of India Chairman R M Premkumar as home secretary, Congress sources said on Wednesday.

Premkumar is an Indian Administrative Service officer -- Maharashtra cadre, the state Patil hails from.

The incumbent, Anil Baijal, assumed charge in February 2004 after his predecessor, N Gopalaswamy, moved to the election commission.

With the United Progressive Alliance assuming power at the Centre, Baijal is likely to be removed, the sources said.

In fact, it was former deputy prime minister Lal Kishenchand Advani who handpicked Baijal.

UPA ministers, particularly those belonging to the Congress like Patil, are reportedly keen that the last vestiges of the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance government be removed.

However, with the Rajya Sabha polls being held in abeyance with a former member of the House, Kuldip Nayar, filing a petition in the Supreme Court, Premkuamr's appointment could take some time, the sources said.

Patil, having lost the Lok Sabha polls from Latur in Maharashtra, is keen to enter the Rajya Sabha.

He is almost certain to enter the House since his party -- the Congress -- is poised to send three of its members from Maharashtra.