Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 24
After deliberations that went on till 2 am on Friday, the names of new ministers in the Charanjit Singh Channi cabinet have been finalised.
Though a wider consensus on the names has been reached, a last-minute feedback is being taken from senior leaders like Sunil Jakhar before the list is released.
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The approval came after Channi met Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi.
The portfolios of various ministers have also been decided. After the meeting ended, the CM left for Chandigarh in the wee hours of Friday.
Now, the official release of the list is awaited and all eyes are on when the list is sent to the governor.
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Depending on this, the swearing-in can take place in a day or two.
The new faces learnt to have made the cut include Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Raj Kumar Verka, Sangat Singh Gilzian, Randeep Nabha, Pargat Singh and Surjit Dhiman. They have also retained at least seven names from the Amarinder cabinet.
Incidentally, PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu did not accompany Channi to Delhi for the final round of discussions with Rahul on Thursday. This shows a balancing act between the newly emerged power centres in the Punjab Congress.
Going by caste and regional equations, there will be at least four Dalit faces and five Hindu faces besides striking a balance between Majha, Doaba and Malwa. Sources said first-time MLAs were not being included in the ministry.
List of Punjab ministers almost finalised as Rahul Gandhi approves names
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