‘CM is political master of state and everyone should accept it’

Wednesday, 12/06/2019

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PATIALA: After a rivalry over two decades with his neighbour and friend of youth days, Captain Amarinder Singh, which ended in 2015, Brahm Mohindra has seen a meteoric rise in his political career. He is the number 2 in the Punjab cabinet, considered trustworthy troubleshooter of the CM and handles maximum administrative and legislative matters assigned by the Captain. In the recent cabinet reshuffle, Mohindra was allocated local bodies department, a portfolio that was taken away from Navjot Singh Sidhu amid his tussle with Amarinder. HT talked to the minister over several related issues. Here are excerpts from the interview:

There are rumours that you still have not assumed office of the local bodies department. Are you waiting for Navjot Sidhu’s next move?

This is a misconception that a minister needs to visit the office to join a department. My secretary has taken standing orders from me, and I have held long meetings with officials to brief them about my plans and vision for the department . I have not gone to office, as I want to give ample time to my predecessor to vacate it. Once he demits office, I will start operating from there.

Sidhu is miffed over the change of his department. Your comments?

I have nothing to say except that the CM is the political master of the state and everyone should accept it. Distribution of portfolios is his prerogative. I do whatever job is assigned to me by the CM and expect everyone else to do so.

Sidhu has met the Congress high command over his spat with the CM. What’s your take on it?

I won’t comment on political issues. My focus now is on my new department. Sidhu is son of my best friend and has played in my hands, and I still have an affectionate relationship with him.

What’s your top priority as local bodies minister?

Urbanites are taxpayers and generate maximum income for the government. Being one of them, I understand their problems. The government is duty-bound to provide all civic amenities and modern infrastructure to them. My top priority is making Ludhiana, Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar smart cities.

What are your other areas of concern?

I will come up with a vision document. I won’t make false promises like the SADBJP did in the past. Solid waste management is another area of concern. I will ensure proper functioning of all solid waste treatment plants. If we manage to handle solid waste, half the problems of cleanliness, sewerage chocking and stray animals will be resolved. I also want to provide drinking water supply from canals to all major cities. Augmenting fire safety services is also among my focus areas.

With the state government facing fund crunch, how you will carry out development works?

Resource mobilisation is need of the hour. We will stop all leakage by starting e-services to all fee-related works. I will take up new projects with Union urban development minister Hardeep Singh Puri and hope he will grant funds with generosity.

Have you been rewarded with local bodies portfolio for your improved relationship with the CM?

Capt Saa’b knows my capacity to deliver on political and administrative fronts. I am enjoying working under his leadership.