Even though new HP CM Jairam Thakur does not seem to be in a hurry to overhaul the state bureaucracy, speculations abound. The incumbent Chief Secretary Vidya Chander Pharka (IAS:1983: HP) is sure to be replaced but opinions are divided on DGP Somesh Goyal (IPS:1984: HP). In case a Goyal's replacement is sought, the most obvious candidate may be Sita Ram Mardi (IPS:1986: HP) who claims to be related to the CM's family. The state's emerging scenario over the replacement of DGP may well be compared with UP where, in 2015, a senior IPS officer claimed as a relative of Mulayam Singh's wife Sadhna Gupta and succeeded to become the DGP of the state. Mardi, the foremost claimant for the top police job, relates himself to CM Jairam Thakur's wife. Indianmandarins has reliably learnt that Mardi's wife is a Kannadiga born and brought up in Jaipur which is said to bring Mardi close to the CM's family. All said, Mardi is also considered a competent officer and is known for his tough approach to implementing the establishment's order. Reportedly, he spearheaded the phone-tapping case during the Veerbhadra Singh regime which had hit the headlines.