Punjab woman IAS officer Parampal Kaur Sidhu on Wednesday tendered her resignation from the post of Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation’s managing director. Speculations are rife that she might throw her hat into the political ring and contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
 
Notably, Sidhu is the daughter-in-law of Punjab’s former Minister and senior SAD leader Sikandar Singh Maluka.
 
Sidhu, who was promoted to the IAS cadre from the PCS in 2015, has served in various crucial positions across Punjab. Her sudden resignation has raised eyebrows in political circles.
 
Sources indicate that Sidhu has been in contact with the BJP. There are strong indications that she might be announced as the BJP candidate from Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency — a stronghold of former Union Minister and Sukhbir’s wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The BJP has been in talks with the Maluka family for some time now, exploring the possibility of fielding a candidate from Bathinda.
 
Maluka, a prominent figure in Punjab politics and a former Education Minister, has been vying for an SAD ticket for the upcoming elections. However, due to age restrictions, he is unlikely to secure a ticket from either the SAD or the BJP. At 75, Maluka is ineligible to contest on a BJP ticket as well.
 
Sidhu's resignation, coupled with her familial ties to the SAD leadership, hints at her inclination towards joining active politics. Her sudden decision to step down from her bureaucratic position underscores her readiness to dive into the electoral fray.
 
As per reports, Sidhu is set to retire in October this year and has already been on leave. Despite her extensive experience and qualifications, neither the Congress-led Government nor the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration has appointed her on any notable post, or as Deputy Commissioner.