Capt Amarinder Singh is all set to reward the scripters of the electoral success story with a berth in the State Council of Ministers, expected to be sworn in on March 16. The new Cabinet is believed to be “a mixed lot” of experienced and youngsters with representation of women, first-timers and Dalit leaders.
A day after piloting the Congress’ safe landing in Punjab after it faced two successive defeats, Capt Amarinder on Sunday met Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore to stake claims for forming the next Government in the State with the support of 77 MlAs — just one short of the two-third majority.
The Patiala Royal, following the meeting, informed that he has staked claim to the Government and March 16 has been fixed as the date for the oath taking ceremony.
“Met Governor and staked claim to make Government. March 16 has been fixed as the date,” he said while adding that he would go to Delhi to have discussions with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on March 14.
Before that, Capt Amarinder was unanimously elected as the leader of Congress legislative Party (ClP) during a meeting held at party’s headquarters in Chandigarh, attended by some of the elected MlAs, and leader from the Central leadership.
Sources informed The Pioneer that Capt Amarinder would also discuss the list of leaders he wanted to include in his Cabinet. The party is treading cautiously to give representation to members of different castes, regions, religions and gender and also accommodate experienced leaders and youths in the cabinet.
Among the front runners are the cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, former finance minister Manpreet Badal, three-time MlA and lone Muslim leader Razia Sultana, former ClP leader and party’s prominent Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi, among others.
Many prominent leaders, like former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Sunil Jakhar, Mohinder Singh Kay Pee, Kewal Singh Dhillon, Jagmohan Singh Kang, Ashwani Sekhri, lost the elections — making things little difficult for the Patiala Royal to select his team.
At the same time, the absence of such leaders would pave way for the young and first-timers to play major role in the government functioning.
Even as Capt Amarinder refused to share any details about the likely members of his cabinet and also regarding the number of ministers, it has been learnt that former MP and first-time MlA Sidhu would be given a major role. It is believed that he would be rewarded with he post of Capt Amarinder’s deputy.
Sidhu, along with his wife and former MlA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, had deserted BJP to join the Congress just before elections.
Akali patriarch Parkash Singh Badal’s estranged nephew Manpret Badal is expected to be given Finance portfolio.
Other probables for ministerial berths are Dera Baba Nanak MlA Sukhjinder Randhawa, Fatehgarh Churian MlA Tript Singh Rajinder Bajwa and Amritsar Central MlA OP Soni from the Majha region.
From Doaba, Kapurthala MlA and Capt Amarinder’s loyalist Rana Gurjit Singh, Hoshiarpur MlA Sham Sundar Arora are in the race for ministerial berths. The name of former hockey captain Pargat Singh, elected for the second time from Jalandhar Cantt, is also doing the rounds.
From Malwa, other than Manpreet, the names of Patiala Rural MlA Brahm Mohindra, ludhiana Central MlA Surinder Dawar or ludhiana North MlA Rakesh Pandey, Mohali MlA Balbir Sidhu and Guru Har Sahai MlA Rana Gurmeet Sodhi is being discussed.
Among women, Malerkotla’s MlA Razia Sultana and two-time Dinanagar MlA Aruna Choudhary could get a ministerial berth. While Razia alse represents the minority, Choudhary hails from SC community.
Other than Channi and Aruna Chaurdhary, the party is mulling over including Chabbewal MlA Raj Kumar Verka, and Nabha MlA Sadhu Singh Dharmsot in he Cabinet among the Dalit leaders.
Among youth, Vijay Inder Singh Singla (Sangrur), Raja Amarinder Singh Warring (Gidderabaha) and Kuljit Nagra (Fatehgarh Sahib), who are considered close to party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, may find a place in the ministry.