Jaya’s adviser in driving seat: These babus call the shots in other states

It isn’t Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa alone who is the centre of attention at the city’s Apollo Hospital. Somewhere on the second floor where the ailing chief minister is being treated by a team of top doctors, another lady holds court these days with top officials queuing up for instructions.

It isn’t Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa alone who is the centre of attention at the city’s Apollo Hospital. Somewhere on the second floor where the ailing chief minister is being treated by a team of top doctors, another lady holds court these days with top officials queuing up for instructions.

Retired IAS office Sheela Balakrishnan is being credited with running the Tamil Nadu government while chief minister J Jayalalithaa remains hospitalised. (Handout photo)

Retired IAS officer, Sheela Balakrishnan, 62, is credited with running the state administration while the chief minister is battling her illness.

Hindustan Times takes a look at other bureaucrats who are the real power behind the thrones in states: