Chandigarh: In a significant development for the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, the cabinet is set to be expanded today with the induction of two party MLAs as ministers. This comes as Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, the local bodies minister, tendered his resignation, creating an opening for fresh faces in the cabinet.
The two AAP MLAs who will be sworn in as cabinet ministers are Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Balkar Singh. Khudian, the MLA from Lambi, rose to prominence as the party’s “giant slayer” when he defeated Akali patriarch and five-time chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in the state polls last year. Balkar Singh, a former police officer, represents the Kartarpur reserved seat. The Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency, to which Kartarpur belongs, was won by the party in a bypoll held on May 13. Both Khudian and Balkar are first-time legislators, bringing fresh perspectives and energy to the Punjab cabinet.
The resignation of Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, who represents the Amritsar South constituency, followed his questioning of the Vigilance Bureau’s decision to summon Ajit newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Barjinder Singh Hamdard, in a case. Nijjar’s public support for Hamdard, whose newspaper is currently under investigation for alleged fund misappropriation in the establishment of the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial, did not sit well with the Mann government. Consequently, Nijjar decided to step down from his ministerial position on personal grounds.
The resignation has been forwarded to Governor Banwari Lal Purohit by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for prompt acceptance. The Chief Minister’s Office spokesperson stated, “The CM has impressed upon the governor to accept the resignation of Nijjar, who has resigned on personal grounds.” Additionally, the names of Balkar Singh and Gurmeet Khudian have been proposed for their induction as cabinet ministers.
Prior to his resignation, Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar played an active role in the cabinet, having been included in the first expansion in July last year. He also served as the protem speaker of the assembly following the AAP’s formation of the government. Notably, Nijjar is the president of Chief Khalsa Diwan, a prestigious Sikh organization that oversees over 50 educational institutions and various welfare initiatives.
With the inclusion of Balkar Singh and Gurmeet Khudian, the Punjab cabinet will now have 17 ministers, including the chief minister. Bhagwant Mann, who assumed the chief ministerial position on March 16 last year, previously expanded the cabinet by appointing five MLAs as ministers in July 2022, followed by an additional induction in January this year. The constitutional provision allows for a maximum of 18 ministers, including the chief minister, representing 15% of the state assembly’s total membership.
To commemorate this significant moment, AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with several ministers from the Delhi government, is expected to visit Chandigarh. They will be attending a dinner hosted by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at his residence, welcoming party leaders, including MPs and MLAs. However, it has been clarified that Kejriwal will not be present at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly appointed ministers.
The cabinet expansion and the induction of new faces reflect the AAP government’s commitment to governance and its strategy to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to Punjab’s administration.
