Hitting Punjab’s former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh where it would hurt him the most, the Congress party is giving him one setback after another in his bastion, Patiala. After the suspension of Capt Amarinder’s staunch supporter and Patiala mayor Sanjeev Sharma Bittu, Punjab Government on Tuesday replaced his loyalist RP Pandov with the son of Congress legislator Madan Lal Jalalpur on the post of PSPCL Director (Administration).
Jalalpur, once a strong loyalist of Patiala’s royal family, was among the Congress leaders who raised the banner of revolt against Capt Amarinder when he was the Chief Minister and vociferously backed Navjot Singh Sidhu’s elevation to the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president’s post.
The appointment of Ghanaur MLA’s son, Gagandeep Singh Jalalpur, comes at a time when the Congress-led State Government is already under opposition’s attack for doling out government jobs to the kins of Congress leaders, including ministers and lawmakers.
Gagandeep’s appointment on a government post would be the sixth made by the Congress Government. Before him, government jobs have been given to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s son-in-law, former revenue minister Gurpreet Singh Kangar’s son-in-law, Congress MLA Fatehjung Singh Bajwa’s son, Congress MLA Rakesh Pandey’s son, and Ludhiana MP Ravneeet Singh Bittu’s brother.
While opposition has intensified its attack against the government for fulfilling its promise of Ghar Ghar Naukri by giving jobs to Congress leaders’ families only, the political observers are interpreting Jalalpur’s son’s appointment as a move to weaken Patiala Royal Capt Amarinder’s stronghold in his home constituency.
Ever since Capt Amarinder has bid a goodbye to the Congress party, the State Government has been replacing his loyalist from various high positions. First one to go was KK Sharma, who was PRTC chairman, followed by unceremonious suspension of Patiala mayor Sanjeev Sharma Bittu, and now RP Pandav.
As per the notification issued by the government on Tuesday, Gagandeep Singh Jalalpur has been appointed as Director/Administration, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), for two years with immediate effect. Gagandeep is also Zila Parishad member.
