It is also a victory for the IAS lobby which has worked overtime to ensure that the candidate will be from the services rather than a retired judge. Retired judges were also recommended for the powerful and sensitive job.

The high-powered three-member panel consisting of Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, Home Minister LK Advani and Leader of the Opposition Sharad Pawar met last Thursday for the first time at the Prime Minister's Office to review the names of potential candidates. Since then, events seem to have snowballed if plans for this week are anything to go by.

According to reliable sources, the ordinance is expected to be issued today or tomorrow, immediately after which the panel will meet, and subsequently, the President will give his formal consent by the weekend. The business of the CVC's appointment is expected to be over in a week.

Sources say, Padmanabhiah, who is at present Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Cabinet Secretariat in charge of the North-East, has emerged a favourite -- he has even got the nod from Pawar, probably because the bureaucrat is from the Maharashtra cadre and has served Pawar in the State administration in several capacities when the latter was Chief Minister.

Sources say TSR Subramanian pales into insignificance compared to Padmanabhiah as the former is too closely identified with the United Front government.

The urgency for setting up the vigilance commission has been acute ever since the controversial transfer of Enforcement Directorate MK Bezbaruah. With the Supreme Court taking grave exception to the tardiness in setting up the Commission, the Centre set the ball rolling almost immediately.

But there's no denying that in the race for the CVC's post, the real victor seems to be the IAS lobby. Reveals a source: ``The IAS lobby has got yet another plum post for themselves. And, now that an IAS officer will take the job for the first time, they hope it will set a trend for the future.'' He adds: ``I won't be surprised if they keep it for themselves forever.''

Another important factor that worked for the administrative lobby is that Advani is completely in its favour. Advani, says the source, is keen to establish his credibility with the bureaucrats, something he has been working on very hard ever since he took over the Home Ministry. Also, with a friendly bureaucrat at the post, say sources, the Home Minister will have fulfilled his wish to have investigating agencies under him.

Lobbying for the post of the CVC has been intense -- the perks are enviable. The ordinance which was drafted by former secretary of the Law Commission RL Meena gives the CVC power and authority which puts the Vigilance Commissioner on par with the Cabinet Secretary, Comptroller and Auditor General and the three service chiefs, a term that lasts for five years and a salary of Rs 30,000 per month, with other benefits of housing, staff and car.