Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 19
With Dalit leader Charanjit Channi being made the Chief Minister, the party high command in an effort to balance the caste combination has decided to offer the post of Deputy CM to a Hindu and a Jat leader.
However, it is not clear as to how an OBC leader will be adjusted in the new Cabinet.
Sources said Brahm Mohindra, a Hindu face, and Sukhjinder Randhawa, a Jat face, as two Deputy CMs, were the top contenders for the posts.
The OBC leaders are learnt to have staked claim for the post of Deputy CM.
In the outgoing Congress government, Brahm Mohindra, a confidant of Capt Amarinder Singh was the senior-most minister. On the other hand, Sukhjinder Randhawa, who was once very close to Capt Amarinder Singh, had parted ways with the former CM after differences over fulfilling poll promises.
Choice of two Deputy CMs shows that in the new Cabinet the party high command was also trying to adjust leaders close to Capt Amarinder Singh. The same approach could reflect in choice of other Cabinet ministers.
Without taking the names, Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Rawat said, “Our mutual feeling is that there should be two Deputy CMs. Soon we will take a call on it along with names of Council of Ministers. Some names have been discussed but it is the CM’s prerogative who discusses it with party high command and finally takes a call.”
Brahm Mohindra, Sukhjinder Randhawa among probables being considered for post of Punjab Deputy CMs
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