If some well-placed sources are to be believed D Kumaraswamy, the newly elected CM of Karnataka, may pick T M Vijay Bhaskar (IAS:1983:KN) for the top job. The outgoing Chief Secretary Mrs K Ratna Prabha (IAS:1982:KN) who is set to complete her extended tenure in next 30 days. Though D V Prasad (IAS:1984) former Principal Secretary to the then CM Kumaraswamy (2006-07) is also said to be in the race. Bhaskar and Prasad are currently serving in the state in the rank of Additional Chief Secretary. Technically, many IAS officers, senior to Bhaskar may be seen as prospective ones but for some or the other reasons Bhaskar and Prasad appear to have edge over G Latha Krishna Rau and S K Pattanayak, Dr K P Krishnan (IAS:1983) who are serving at Centre as Secretary. Latha Krishna Rau is retiring today whereas Pattanayak has only three months in hand to retire. Dr Krishnan K P (IAS:1983:KN) is serving as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and it is all unlikely that Kumaraswamy will pick him for the job. Vijay Bhaskar, a native of Bengaluru, have the advantage of knowing Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi which could help him to act as a bridge while handling inter-state relations. At the same time, some insiders are of the view that even Bhaskar has some edge Prasad's prospect for becoming next CS is not a finished chapter as yet. One could wait and watch till Kumaraswamy announces the successor to Ratna Prabha.