Pargat to CM: Unable to join as CPS

Ruchika M Khanna & Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 27

Olympian hockey star-turned-politician Pargat Singh has declined to take oath as Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) on Thursday. The Akali MLA from Jalandhar Cantt has reportedly written to the Chief Minister he is unable to take oath and that he is more keen that the issues in his constituency be resolved rather than he be given a post.

Efforts are afoot to placate Pargat Singh who did not turn up for a meeting called by SAD president  Sukhbir Singh Badal here today for the MLA’s feedback on government's various development programmes. He was reportedly told that Pargat had gone to pay obeisance in Amritsar. 

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Unhappy with the  SAD leadership, Pargat has in the recent past skipped at least three functions  presided over by senior party leaders here. 

There has been speculation for quite some time that he may join the Aam Aadmi Party. 

This was one of the reasons why the SAD leadership decided to appoint him CPS, say sources.

Pargat Singh could not be contacted for comment. His personal assistant and a sister-in-law confirmed  that he had not attended today's meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister. 

Asked why he had not been accepting congratulatory messages from party workers on his elevation, they said he was "busy". 

Though hoardings congratulating the new CPS were put up by the SAD in several parts of the city, most did not have Pargat Singh's picture.