Minister, Muktsar MLA at odds, appoint own arhtiya body heads

The rift between Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur, who is an MLA from Malout, and her party colleague, Muktsar MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar, has come out in the open with the appointment of two different presidents of the Muktsar District Kacha Arhtiya Association. Both have appointed their own favourites to the post and shared congratulatory photos on social media.

On Friday, Dr Baljit Kaur appointed Manjinder Singh Kaka Urang as president. Meanwhile, Kaka Brar today announced Jagsir Singh Charna as president at a gathering of arhtiyas in the Muktsar grain market, where he was said to have been “unanimously elected”.

No consultation held

Some local arhtiyas claimed the controversy began because the minister appointed Manjinder Singh Kaka Urang as president of the Muktsar District Kacha Arhtiya Association without consulting the local MLA. “Even some arhtiyas had objected, which led to this situation,” they said.

Kaka Urang said, “I was appointed by Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur. A number of arhtiyas accompanied me to Malout on Saturday. What can I say if the MLA has appointed Jagsir Charna also? He will have a different style of working.”

Charna countered, “Arhtiyas from across the district gathered in Muktsar today and elected me unanimously in their presence. Kaka Brar congratulated me.”

Later, talking to The Tribune, Dr Baljit Kaur said, “Several arhtiyas had approached me two days ago, and Kaka Urang was appointed as their president. Some of them, or MLA Kaka Brar, may not like him. I have no issue with Kaka Brar.”

On this, Kaka Brar maintained, “The arhtiyas have unanimously elected Charna, and I congratulated him.”

Some local arhtiyas claimed the controversy began because the minister appointed Kaka Urang without consulting the local MLA. “Even some arhtiyas had objected, which led to this situation,” they said.

Notably, the Kacha Arhtiya Association functions as a bridge between commission agents and the district administration but has no formal office.