Second stint as CM from March 16

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 12

After steering the Congress to a thumping electoral victory, Capt Amarinder Singh will take oath as the Punjab Chief Minister on March 16. It would be his second innings as the CM after the stint from 2002 to 2007. 

Accompanied by party observer Ashok Gehlot, Capt Amarinder met Governor VP Singh Badnore to formally stake claim to form the next government. 

Not giving any names, he said a few Cabinet members would be sworn in too. Sources said their tally could be eight. The portfolios would be announced later. Talking to mediapersons, Amarinder said he would meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on March 14 on the constitution of the ministry.

Earlier, at a meeting, the newly-elected Congress MLAs passed a one-line resolution authorising AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi to decide on the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader.

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Informed of the decision over the phone by party general secretary Asha Kumari, Rahul proposed Capt Amarinder’s name. Thereafter, the latter was elected  to the post unanimously.  

After the meeting, Congress MLA-elect Raj Kumar Verka (Amritsar West) said the government’s priority would be to end the drug menace that had “flourished” under the SAD-BJP alliance. “A roadmap has been prepared in this regard,” he said. 

Congress MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhwa (Dera Baba Nanak) said welfare schemes started by the SAD-BJP government would continue. “We will put an end to the politicising of the state police. Also, the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal (SYL) will not be built at any cost,” he added. 

Lobbying for berth

Lobbying for Cabinet berths has begun. Sources said AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi had told Capt Amarinder Singh to make sure only those with a clean image were inducted into the ministry. The party will have to devise criteria to represent all sections, including Dalits and minorities. As per the sanctioned strength, there will be 18 ministers in all, including the CM.