In his second inning as Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh is building up ‘Team Congress’ with his ‘tried and trusted’ players.
After appointing IAS and PCS officers on senior positions, Capt Amarinder on Monday inducted in his office his reliable “game changers” — Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, TS Shergill, Raveen Thukral, Capt Sandeep, Kanwar Pal Sekhon, Major Amardeep, and Vimal Sumbly.
Chahal, Capt Amarinder’s former media adviser and an all-season associate, has been appointed as the Adviser to Chief Minister in the rank of Minister of State.
During Capt Amarinder’s previous tenure from 2002 to 2007, Chahal emerged out as one of the most powerful person around the Chief Minister. So much so, that along with Capt Amarinder, he also faced vigilance cases registered by Parkash Singh Badal-led SAD government after Congress’ defeat in 2007 state polls.
It has been learnt that Chahal was seeking ticket for his son from Mansa, but could not succeed.
A former journalist and now strong member of Capt Amarinder’s core media team, Raveen Thukral has been appointed as Media Advisor to CM in the rank of Minister of State.
Thukral, who was accredited to steer Capt Amarinder’s media campaign in the recently-concluded Punjab assembly polls, will formally take over his new responsibilities on Wednesday. He has been part of Capt Amarinder’s core team since taking over as his media strategist in October 2016.
Terming his appointment as a huge responsibility, 52-year-old Thukral said that he would continue to work with the media with the same professionalism that had been the hallmark of Capt Amarinder’s poll campaign.
Thukral said that he would carry forward the aggressive media agenda he had embarked on as the media strategist to the Punjab Congress president.
lieutenant General (retired) Tajinder Singh Shergill has been appointed as Senior Advisor to the Chief Minister in the rank of Cabinet Minister. Shergill, Capt Amarinder’s long-time friend, had earlier served as Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) chairman.
Another Capt Amarinder’s loyalist, Vimal Sumbly, has been appointed his Press Secretary and given the rank of chief parliamentary secretary.
Other key persons around Capt Amarinder — Capt Sandeep Sandhu, Major Amardeep Singh and Karanpal Sekhon — have also find their way to the CMO after their appointment as Political Secretaries to the Chief Minister.
Sekhon, whose family has been associated with the Patiala Royal family since past three generations, had left his corporate job and working with Capt Amarinder in and out of power.
Ex-army men, Capt Sandhu and Major Amardeep have stuck to Capt Amarinder’s gun through thick and thin and have now been awarded for their faithfulness.
Retired IGP Khubi Ram has also been appointed by Capt Amarinder as his Security Advisor.