Rana Gurjit, Pargat front-runners, CM likely to keep vacancy for now
Sunday, 21/07/2019
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PATIALA : Amid intense lobbying for the vacant seat, the frontrunners include former cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh, who was unceremoniously dropped from the cabinet in January 2018.
Others in the race are threetime legislator Sangat Singh Gilzian from Urmar (Hoshiarpur); former hockey player Pargat Singh (Jalandhar Cantt) and four-time MLA Kaka Randeep Singh (Amloh). CM Captain Amarinder Singh is likely to keep the vacancy open, for now, to keep MLAs under his control.
Rana, a business-man-turned politician, had to resign as power and irrigation minister after he courted controversy by using ‘frontmen’ to bid for sand mines. Later, a one-man inquiry commission had absolved him.
“Doaba has only one minister, Sunder Sham Arora. There is a possibility that the CM will allot this vacant post to the region ,” the leader said. “He is the seniormost among leaders from Doaba. Despite his removal from the cabinet, he didn’t oppose the party or the CM and ensured party victory in Shahkot by-poll. After Sidhu’s resignation, Rana had met the Congress top leadership in Delhi,” he added.
All-India Congress Committee secretary and Punjab affairs in-charge Asha Kumari said, “The cabinet berth will be filled after consultation with the Congress president. After the party finalises its president, only then a call will be taken.”
