This year has brought another battle to Delhi’s babudom: the fight to be the next vice-chairman of the powerful Delhi Development Authority. While the front runner for the post is MCD Commissioner Ashok Kumar Nigam — a 1974 batch IAS officer of UT cadre — senior government sources say there are a number of factors working against him.

On one hand, sources say, his nomination is being backed by L-G Tejendra Khanna, who had also backed him for the post of Delhi Chief Secretary, which Nigam lost to Sheila Dikshit candidate Rakesh Mehta. But, government officials say, Nigam has not been empannelled yet, which may work against him.

In addition to this, with an urgent need to expedite all Games projects — a number of which the DDA will execute — the V-C’s post has become politically important in Delhi. Word is that Dikshit is opposed to Nigam’s appointment and is lobbying for DJB CEO Arun Mathur. Mathur — a 1977 batch IAS officer — is junior to Nigam as well as to Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta.

The government, therefore, expects no friction between these two officials with this appointment, as opposed to if Nigam is appointed. Mathur is also being considered for the municipal commissioner’s post.

Meanwhile, sources say Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy (the DDA falls under this ministry) had met 1977 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre Subodh Kumar, a couple of days ago. Kumar , however, is also being considered for the post of CMD of REC.