CAPT MEETS RAHUL, NO WORD ON CABINET EXPANSION

LONG WAIT 117member assembly can have 18 ministers; 8 berths are vacant; several plum portfolios remain with CM

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh called on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi on Saturday but as per indications, the cabinet expansion may not happen anytime soon. Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and in-charge for Punjab Asha Kumari also met Rahul, but no probable names for the cabinet were discussed.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh called on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at his residence in New Delhi on Saturday afternoon but as per indications, the much-awaited cabinet expansion may not happen anytime soon.

Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge for Punjab affairs Asha Kumari also met Rahul to discuss party affairs but no probable names for the cabinet were discussed.

Later, Amarinder met Rahul separately during which he brought up the issue of cabinet expansion.

At a recent press conference at Chandigarh, Amarinder said the cabinet expansion will take place after he meets Rahul.

Party sources say the CM is in no hurry to induct more ministers.

“Most of the plum portfolios are still with the CM and he is keen to keep a tight leash on administration by having fewer ministers, mainly loyalists. The CM also wants to keep the ministerial berths dangling to ensure loyalty at a time when MLAs are showing signs of unease over the working of the government, mainly free hand given by the CM to his officers. He may like to keep the MLAs guessing till the municipal elections are held in the state,” said a source.

The 117-member Punjab House can have 18 ministers. Nine ministers have been sworn in along with the CM on March 16, leaving eight berths.

Having won 77 assembly seats, the party also seems to be suffering from the problem of plenty.

Amarinder will have to pick and choose from among his favourites, old-timers and Rahul’s young Turks.

Amarinder may like to accommodate some more of his loyalists such as Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, but he cannot afford to overlook the seniority of MLAs — Ludhiana North MLA Rakesh Pandey and Amritsar Central member of legislative assembly OP Soni.

He may invite another controversy if he appoints Mohali MLA Balbir Sidhu who has stakes in the liquor business.

The CM also cannot ignore the claims of Rahul’s young brigade of MLAs such as Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Kuljit Singh Nagra, Vijay Inder Singla and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Congress insiders say minister Charanjit Singh Channi is already “voiced his disappointment” at being allotted just the technical education and training portfolio and there are murmurs in the party against plum posts to Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and Razia Sultana.

Though Amarinder has been able to deflect party and public anger against power minister Rana Gurjit Singh after his name surfaced in the sand mining auctions by ordering a judicial probe, the simmering discontent among MLAs may erupt if the CM is unable to do a balancing act between different factions, regions, caste and community.

Saying that cabinet expansion is the prerogative of the CM, Jakhar said only organisational issues were discussed during his meeting with Rahul.

“The party vice-president is keen to strengthen the party and boost morale. He wanted to know expectations of people and if the party was able to meet them,” he said.

AMARINDER HAS TO CHOOSE FROM AMONG HIS FAVOURITES, OLDTIMERS AND RAHUL’S YOUNG TURKS