122 Punjab politicians lose security cover

Tribune News Service

Ruchika M. Khanna

Chandigarh, March 12

Aam Aadmi Party set in motion its agenda of running a government for the people. Not only has the party invited every citizen of Punjab to be a part of the oath-taking ceremony at Khatkar Kalan on March 16, but it also started the exercise of taking back privileges from the “erstwhile” political class. 

Since Punjab has been alternatively ruled by the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the privileges have always remained with political leaders from across the two parties. In one of the first major decisions by AAP, the new political dispensation has ensured that the police security given to 122 politicians from the two parties, including some of those who left AAP to hop on to the other parties, has been withdrawn. Two politicians (former MLAs)  who joined AAP from Congress too will have to forego their security. 

In Punjab, where having security is considered a status symbol, this decision is being viewed as adding insult to injury on the leaders - all of who have suffered a humiliating defeat in the just concluded assembly polls. The security of seven Congress MLAs who have been re-elected - Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Rana Gurjeet Singh,  Aruna Chaudhary, Pargat Singh, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Barindermeet Singh Pahra- too has been withdrawn.

The security personnel, around 399, have been asked to report to their parent units immediately. “The police stations are vacant. Why do we need police sitting in tents outside the houses of these people. The security of 2.75 crore punjabis is much more important,” said CM elect Mann, reiterating that the VIP culture had to end immediately. 

So far, the security of former chief ministers Charanjit Singh Channi, Capt Amarinder Singh, Parkash Singh Badal and their family members (barring Badal’s son-in-law Adesh Pratap Kairon) and former deputy chief ministers Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa have not been withdrawn. The name of PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu too does not figure in the list, though the name of his wife is there. 

Mann has also decided on A Venu Prasad as the additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister. Prasad, a 1991 batch IAS officer, remained the CMD of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and headed the Mining department, for a long time.  He is presently heading the Excise and Taxation department. Sources say that he has been chosen to oversee implementation of mainly two major promises of the AAP- ensuring 300 units of free power to all and generating funds in the cash- strapped state. 

Earlier in the day, Punjab Chief Minister designate Bhagwant Mann said that each MLA of Aam Aadmi Party will work for the growth and progress of Punjab, once their government assumes office. The state will be run on the principles laid by Bhagat Singh - of public welfare and putting the state over self. 

He was taking to media persons after staking his claim to form the government. He met the Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit this morning and submitted his proposal to form the government, along with a list of 92 AAP MLAs. “The Governor welcomed us and asked us where we would like to have the oath-taking ceremony. We told him that the ceremony will be held at 12.30 pm on March 16, at Khatkar Kalan,” he said. 

The CM designate, while refusing to divulge details of who would be inducted in the cabinet immediately, said that the Cabinet will be good. “The Council of Ministers will be taking historic decisions,” he added. Sources say that the AAP is unlikely to fill all posts immediately and only six to seven ministers will be inducted immediately. 

Mann had arrived at the Raj Bhawan in his personal car, though the sarkari cars and jammers followed him. Last night, he held a meeting with the Chief Secretary Anirudh Tiwari and the DGP V K Bhawra, and reportedly asked them to ensure discipline amongst the employees, while ensuring that there was no public harassment. 

Venu Prasad Addl CS

A Venu Prasad, a 1991-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Addl Chief Secretary to the CM. He has served as CMD, PSPCL, and now heads the Excise Dept. Sources say he will be asked to ensure 300 units of free power to all, as promised by AAP, and to generate funds for the state.

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