CM bats for Sahota, Sidhu backs Chattopadhyaya
CHANDIGARH: Caste angle and differences between key players in the state’s new dispensation have surfaced amid suspense over the appointment of a new director general of police (DGP) in Punjab.
Some senior government officers said the issue came up for discussion during an informal meeting of CM Charanjit Singh Channi, his deputies and officials on Monday evening, in which the names of IPS officers Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota (1988 batch), S Chattopadhyaya (1986) and BK
Bhawra (1987) were discussed.
A senior officer privy to the developments said Sahota appears to have the backing of the CM’S office, whereas a group in the new Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) team headed by Navjot Singh Sidhu is strongly pushing for Chattopadhyaya for the post of the top cop.
Amid Sahota emerging as the strongest contender, a Whatsapp message was widely circulated, claiming that the seniority principle is being ignored again (as was done in the case of DGP Dinkar Gupta) and also gave it a caste twist.
“If Sahota is appointed (as the DGP) when the CM (belongs to the SC community) and his principal secretary (Hussan Lal) is also from the same caste, it will send a wrong signal,” reads the message. Both Sahota and Chattopadhyaya were not available for comment. However, a former Punjab DGP said it was unfortunate that the caste angle was coming into play.
“It is the state government’s prerogative to select the new DGP who suits it the most. There have been examples when Jat Sikhs were chosen as DGPS when a Jat Sikh was the CM and had another Jat Sikh as the principal secretary. All these considerations in appointments are unfortunate,” he said.
Bhawra as dark horse? According to sources, BK Bhawra can be a dark horse in the race for the DGP, as the group supporting Chattopadhyaya has made him the alternative candidate.