Officials at all levels of the Chongqing government have been summoned to meetings to pledge allegiance to the new leadership in the past two days as they brace for major reshuffles among the top leadership in the municipality.
A source close to the government said maintaining political stability was the priority for newly appointed party secretary Zhang Dejiang , who flew in to fill the political vacuum left by the departure of former Chongqing party boss Bo Xilai, who was sacked a day after the closure of the National People's Congress annual plenum. The appointment of Zhang is unusual as he is a vice-premier.
Chongqing civil servants are expecting a major reshuffle - particularly in the municipality's organisation department, which is in charge of appointing civil servants, and the city's propaganda department, which was once Bo's main platform to push his political agenda.
Speculation is rife that Guan Haixiang, who has close connections with the Communist Youth League, the power base of President Hu Jintao, might take over as bureau chief of the organisation department. Guan was only appointed as police party secretary last month after his predecessor, Wang Lijun, allegedly attempted to defect to the American consulate in Chengdu, capital of neighbouring Sichuan province.
Sources in Chongqing believe He Ting, newly appointed vice-mayor, was likely to take over Guan's police portfolio later.
Bo, known for his media savvy, has held a tight grip over Chongqing media coverage of him. Chongqing sources believe Cai Minzhao, deputy head of the party's Central Publicity Department, is a top contender to take over Chongqing's propaganda department.
Bo's downfall also casts doubts over the political fate of his trusted ally, Mayor Huang Qifan. Huang has postponed his attendance at the China Development Forum at Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing until tomorrow.