Punjab: With two new inductions and one resignation from the Cabinet, the status of Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who is seen as the closest to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, was “downsized” in today’s reshuffle. Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath of office to Balkar Singh and Gurmeet Singh Khudian to become Cabinet members. Both of Dhaliwal’s important departments, agriculture and rural development, were removed.
Dhaliwal Stripped of Key Responsibilities Ahead of Agriculture Policy Launch
The government is getting ready to introduce a new agriculture policy in June and to launch a campaign to release encroached panchayat land across the state on Thursday when it removes crucial responsibilities from Dhaliwal. Only the NRI Affairs and Administrative Reforms Departments remain under Dhaliwal’s control. While newly appointed minister Khudian has been handed the Agriculture Department, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar has been granted the Rural Development Department. Dhaliwal’s “downsizing” comes shortly after Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar’s “resignation,” which happened late last night.
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Nijjar’s Potential Party Leadership Role and Dhaliwal’s Portfolio Change Fuel Rumors
Fascinatingly, Nijjar, who is also the head of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, may be asked to lead the party in the elections for the Sikh parliament against SAD with the SGPC elections only around the corner. Though the party has not given a justification for changing Dhaliwal’s portfolio, rumours about it are rampant in the halls of power. Though party insiders refer to it as “normal,” others claim that Mann and the party’s senior brass may have received some complaints that led to the dismissal of the two charges against Dhaliwal. Others have speculated that the minister’s “increasing status” as a result of his release of government property since last year may not be well received by his superiors.
Balkar and Khudian Step Up in Cabinet Reshuffle
As compensation for assisting the ruling party in winning the important Jalandhar parliamentary byelection, Balkar was given a position in the Cabinet. He now has control of the crucial Local Government Department. The Local Government Department is responsible for a lot of policy creation and management, with elections for local bodies scheduled for later this year. Given the Agriculture Department at a time when the ruling party is preoccupied with mobilising rural voters for the panchayat and zila parishad elections, both of which are scheduled for this year, Khudian is regarded as a giant-slayer after defeating the late Parkash Singh Badal. He receives the Departments of Dairy, Food Processing, and Animal Husbandry. In the meantime, Nijjar’s prior position as Minister of Mines and Sports, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, now includes the added responsibility of Land and Water Conservation. Punjab now has 16 ministries, including the CM, after today’s increase.
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