Facing attack from his political rivals and even party-men on government’s impaired functioning, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh may soon find a second-in-command “officially”. For, the Congress national president Rahul Gandhi is reportedly in favour of appointing a ‘Deputy Chief Minister’ to Capt Amarinder.
It has been learnt that the decision was expected following the “not-so-good” feedback of the Congress’ Government’s performance during its first 10 months in office in Punjab by the state leaders.
Only recently, Rahul Gandhi had sought Capt Amarinder’s confidant Rana Gurjeet Singh’s resignation as the Cabinet Minister in the wake of series of serious allegations against him.
Congress’ win in Punjab, earlier this year, was considered as a comeback point for the age-old party which was facing a series of defeats across the country. Congress wanted to project Punjab as the model state for elections in other states.
“But considering the party’s performance in its 10-month rule, Rahul Gandhi has decided to intervene and take some strong decisions...Appointing deputy to Capt Amarinder is another one after expulsion of Rana Gurjeet from the Cabinet,” a senior Congress leader, requesting anonymity, told The Pioneer.
Capt Amarinder has already stated that the impending Cabinet expansion would take place after the ludhiana civic body polls, which is expected to be concluded on February 24.
Earlier also, it was expected that a senior MlA or the cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu would be appointed Deputy Chief Minister. But, Capt Amarinder had then prevailed upon Rahul Gandhi for not appointing his deputy as a reward for winning the elections.
Sources in the party have informed that the names of senior-most MlA and state Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, motor-mouth Minister Sidhu, and the state Finance Minister Manpreet Badal.
While Capt Amarinder would prefer Mohindra as his deputy especially after he lost two of his trusted soldiers—Rana Gurjeet, and his chief principal secretary Suresh Kumar; it is believed that Sidhu or Manpreet may be Rahul Gandhi’s choice for the post.
Chances of Sidhu’s elevation are more as Rahul Gandhi had reportedly promised a plum post to the former cricketer at the time of his joining the Congress.
Already, the hectic lobbying is going on for the nine vacant posts in the Council of Ministers.
It has been learnt that Capt Amarinder is facing a tough task of picking up clean and suitable faces, while maintaining a balance in terms of caste and region.
As of now, the names of senior Congress MlAs including Raj Kumar Verka, Raja Amarinder Singh Warring, Vijay Inder Singla, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Kuljit Nagra, is doing the rounds.
Following Rana Gurjeet’s departure, Doaba region has lost representation in the Cabinet. Now, the race for the Cabinet berth is between two-time MlAs Pargat Singh and Navtej Singh Cheema.