AAP appoints 2 Delhi leaders chairpersons of Boards in Punjab

Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government today appointed two Delhi-based party leaders, Reena Gupta and Deepak Chauhan, as chairpersons of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and Punjab Large Industrial Development Board.

Though Gupta, a spokesperson of AAP Delhi and former party secretary in Delhi, is the first woman to have been appointed on the coveted post of the Chairman of the PPCB, her appointment as well as that of Chauhan, who was earlier working with Rajya Sabha Member Sandeep Pathak, has created a political furore in the state.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Opposition parties across the political spectrum criticised the state ruling party with “outsiders taking over reins of Punjab” barbs.

Interestingly, as party spokesperson, Gupta, who has worked in the field of public policy and environment, has on numerous occasions spoken against Punjab for not doing much on controlling stubble burning, when the Congress government was in power in the state.

These two appointments are amongst the 31 persons who have been appointed Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Directors in various state government boards and corporations. Former Akali Dal MLA and now AAP leader Pawan Kumar Tinu has been appointed Chairman of Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank.

Talking to The Tribune, Sunil Jakhar, state president of BJP, said it was shocking that coteries of people were running the show in Punjab. “The Delhi leaders of the AAP have hijacked the ministries, turning even Punjab ministers into minions. I am appalled that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has abdicated his responsibility towards the state and let his Delhi-based party bosses run the show,” he said.

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa alleged that the only qualification of Deepak Chouhan was that he was former personal assistant (PA) to Sandeep Pathak and hailed from Uttar Pradesh. “He has no industry experience, is not a Punjabi. Merit has been ignored while making him the Chairman of Punjab’s Large Industrial Development Board,” he said, adding that even Reena Gupta was not a Punjabi.

Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal accused CM Mann of “selling his conscience and state to Arvind Kejriwal to retain his chair”.

Never before in the history of the state have outsiders been handed over all important posts. The intention is clear. The AAP leadership in Delhi wants to loot Punjab’s industry and fill its coffers. Bhagwant Mann has become a willing tool in this systematic policy of plunder,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bhagwant Mann extended his congratulations to all new appointees and advised them to carry out their responsibilities with diligence and honesty. In a tweet, the CM said, "Best wishes to everyone for their new responsibilities. Welcome to the 'Rangla Punjab' team. I hope that everyone will fulfill their responsibilities with utmost dedication and honesty. In the coming days, more volunteers will also be entrusted with responsibilities."