In run-up to Punjab cabinet expansion, leaders try to mollify disgruntled MLAs

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 21

In the run-up to the Punjab cabinet expansion on Saturday evening, top state leadership spent the day in mollifying the MLAs who have been left out. 

Senior party leaders feel that seeing the resentment among the MLAs hailing from the Dalit and OBC categories, a section of the MLA could stay away from the swearing-in.

Punjab affairs in-charge Asha Kumari and Harish Chaudhary are said to have spoken to different sets of disgruntled MLAs, including Raj Kumar Verka.

Both, along with PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar, reached Chandigarh in the afternoon to attend the ceremony. 

MLAs Sangat Singh Gilzian, Nathu Ram and Surjit Singh Dhiman have resigned from party positions and could stay away from the swearing-in.

Besides, discussions among the top state party leaders indicate that portfolios of two women ministers of state Aruna Chaudhary and Razia Sultana were being changed while elevating them to the cabinet rank. 

The level of anxiety among some sitting ministers can be gauged from the fact that some of them were seen enquiring from top leaders about the portfolios being given to them. Some also called upon the Chief Minister to share their concern, it is learnt. 

The ministers in waiting spent the day in knowing the portfolios being given to them.