Both Bedi and Sharma are 1972 batch officers and qualified to meet take the most coveted job in the country. Bedi turned down several appointments to head the state police outside Delhi but preferred to take up the UN assignment to work with UN general secretary's personal office with Dr Kofi Annan.

Magsaysay award winner Bedi has had a controversial past and has not done field work for almost two decades and has been busy in running her NGO or writing books praising her own achievements, a senior officer of Delhi police said.

Karenbedi, as she is better known in Delhi, chooses not to comment on such issues. She is planning to move an application to the President of India saying she has unjustifiably denied her due by bringing in Gopal Sharma. Known for her love for media she has been keeping a low profile till a decision is taken by the government one way or the other.

According to Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images] sources, she may be considered to assist the new President Mrs Pratibha Patil after she takes over from Dr Kalam. But there is no confirmation of this piece of information either.

When contacted on phone, Gopal Sharma said on phone from Srinagar [Images] that he has heard about his appointment in the media circles only. "There is nothing that I could say to you at the moment. Let the official orders come before I can tell you something," he said.