JIT gets 3rd chief in year, second in six months

The Aam Aadmi Party has changed the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) chairperson for the second time in its present tenure, raising serious questions over handling of its administrative affairs. The development reflects differences in the party unit here.

The party on Friday replaced chairperson Rajwinder Thiara with Ramneek Singh Lucky Randhawa, who is also the in-charge of the Jalandhar constituency. A resident of Model Town in Jalandhar, he had been appointed as the Sultanpur Lodhi Improvement Trust two years ago, but he could not take over as residents of the holy town had opposed his appointment being an outsider.

Thiara too is learnt to have been removed unceremoniously. She had been made to join with much fanfare in February 25 in the presence of AAP state president Aman Arora and Local Bodies Minister Dr Ravjot Singh.

There had been reports that she was not getting along with some AAP leaders in the party, including Jalandhar Central halqa in-charge and industrialist Nitin Kohli. A large chunk of the Jalandhar Central area, including Surya Enclave, Surya Enclave Extension, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Avenue, which remain under-developed, fall under the JIT.

Kohli had been repeatedly seeking the upgrade of facilities in the area such the installation of streetlights failing which he is learnt to have taken up the matter with the party higher-ups.

Thiara, who is also the Jalandhar Cantt halqa in-charge, has not apparently shown any resentment with the change. Rather she has chosen to congratulate new AAP appointee Randhawa. Asked about her removal, she said, "I was not able to handle the twin charge of halqa as well as the JIT. I had met AAP leader Bibhav Kumar a few days back and told him that I wanted to give up the Trust chairmanship to focus on my constituency. I am happy with the decision as the JIT is too much embroiled in controversies."

She ruled out any disagreement with Kohli on any matter. She also posted a 19-minute video of her achievements in political career on her social media pages today.

Prior to Thiara, party spokesperson Jagtar Sanghera was the JIT chairperson. He had taken the charge in November 2022 but was asked to step down in 28 months.