New Delhi, January 19: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today accepted the resignation of Power and Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit from his Cabinet and forwarded it to the state’s Governor.
The resignation was accepted after Capt Amarinder met Congress president Rahul Gandhi here and discussed a range of issues related to Punjab affairs, including Rana Gurjit’s ouster.
Putting his foot down on Rana Gurjit, Gandhi had conveyed to the CM that the minister must either step down voluntarily or face the ouster.
Rana Gurjit’s ouster has come eight months after The Tribune exposed his alleged illegal gratifications from sand mining business, with his cook successfully bidding for a costly mine.
The meeting between the CM and Gandhi lasted around two hours with Gandhi taking a stock of where the Congress government in Punjab stood on the election promises made to people. Also present at the meeting were Congress incharge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and Congress secretary for the state Harish Choudhary.
The CM is said to have informed Gandhi of the farm loan waiver, women empowerment schemes, the drive against drugs and the means adopted to choke the drug supply among other things.
The Congress has, meanwhile, started planning for the 2019 LS polls, with Capt Amarinder Singh today saying the party reorganisation was discussed with Gandhi and would happen soon.
This was the first formal meeting Gandhi took on the review of Punjab government’s works after he assumed the party presidency on December 16. The meeting was first planned for January 2 but had to be rescheduled due to the CM’s eye infection and later due to Gandhi’s Bahrain travel.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
