One BC, three Dalit leaders from Doaba on AAP’s list of appointees

Aparna Banerji

Jalandhar, February 26

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the AAP today released a list of new appointments of chairmen and vice chairmen of 28 different departments of the state. The list features four prominent names form Doaba, of whom three are Dalits and one of them from the BC community. Dalit leader Chandan Grewal has been appointed the chairman of the Safai Karmchari Commission Punjab, Harjinder Singh Seechewal has been appointed the vice chairman of the Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation, Principal Prem Kumar has been appointed vice chairman of the Punjab School Education Board and Jit Lal Bhatti has been appointed director of the Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company (PUNBUS).

Principal Prem Kumar, Jit Lal Bhatti and Chandan Grewal had previously contested elections for the AAP.

Chandan Grewal a Valimki leader who wields considerable influence among the Dalit community in Doaba and had been the president of Punjab Safai Mazdoor Federation. He had contested the 2017 Vidhan Sabha election unsuccessfully from Kartarpur on AAP ticket. After an innings in the SAD during which he also contested unsuccessfully as an Akali canddiate in the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, Grewal returned to the AAP ahead of the Jalandhar bypoll last year.

Principal Prem Kumar had contested from Phillaur during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections. The seat was won by Congress leader Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary. Meanwhile, Jit Lal Bhatti was the AAP candidate from Adampur during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, which he had lost from Congress leader Sukhwinder Singh Kotli.

Harjinder Singh Seechewal, who served as vice president of the AAP’s Punjab BC (Backward Classes) Wing, also remained the Jalandhar rural president.

Notably, while two prominent leaders Mohinder Bhagat from the BJP and former SAD MLA Jagbir Brar had also joined AAP ahead of the Jalandhar bypoll, there were speculations that they may also receive plum postings. However, the currently released list does not feature their names.

A senior AAP leader said, “There are a number of declarations yet to be made ahead of the elections and all prominent leaders will be aptly rewarded.”

Three have contested elections

• Chandan Grewal, a Valimki leader, had contested the 2017 Vidhan Sabha election unsuccessfully from Kartarpur on AAP ticket. Unsuccessfully contested as an Akali canddiate in the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections. Returned to AAP
• Principal Prem Kumar had contested from Phillaur during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections. The seat was won by Congress leader Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary
• Jit Lal Bhatti was the AAP candidate from Adampur during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, which he lost
• Harjinder Singh Seechewal served as vice-president of the AAP’s Punjab BC (Backward Classes) Wing. Also remained AAP’s Jalandhar rural president