CM rubbishes reports on Cabinet rejig

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

A day ahead of the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to mark the 400th ‘Parkash Purb’ of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today dismissed reports about any Cabinet reshuffle.

“There is no question of dropping or retaining any ministers. Any Cabinet changes will happen at appropriate time after due consultation,” the CM said.

The move is also been seen as message to dissident ministers — Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Charanjit Singh Channi — and three party legislators considered to be close to Sidhu, who have called for Captain Amarinder’s removal as the CM. “The CM’s clarification on Cabinet reshuffle aims to address concern of the dissident ministers who feared that they would be targeted for speaking against him,” said a senior party leader.

AICC general secretary and party in charge Punjab Harish Rawat also said, “The Cabinet rejig was not part of the agenda in Wednesday’s meeting with the CM”.

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BOX

Whip issued to Cong MLAs

* The Chief Whip of the Congress Legislature Party MLA Hardial Singh Kamboj on Thurday directed all party MLAs to be present in the House during Friday’s one-day special session

* Reacting to speculation of some dissident MLAs planning to move a resolution against the central farm laws and power purchase agreements, sources said a resolution could not be moved in the special session.

* It can be moved only in a regular session to be held after a gap of about 10 days.