AAP appoints Board heads, draws flak from opposition
Deepak Chauhan
was on Monday appointed as the chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, while
Reena Gupta
has been named the chairperson of the
Punjab Pollution Control Board
(PPCB).
The appointments, however, evoked criticism, with opposition leaders slamming the AAP govt for picking two "non-Punjabis" for these positions.
While Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said "never before in the history of the state have outsiders been handed over all important posts", leader of opposition in Punjab assembly Partap Singh Bajwa mocked the
Bhagwant Mann
govt's "badlav (change)" claim.
"What a masterstroke by CM Bhagwant Mann.
Deepak Chouhan – ex-PA to AAP backroom boss Sandeep Pathak, hailing from UP – is now chairman of Punjab's Large Industrial Development Board. No industrial experience? Not Punjabi? Loyalty over merit? And yes, all perks funded by Punjabis' hard-earned taxes. Meanwhile, Reena Gupta – another non-Punjabi and former Delhi SEIAA member – is now chairperson of Punjab Pollution Control Board.
Nepotism? No, no… it's called Badlav," Bajwa posted on X.
Another Congress leader and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira said: "Shocking to learn that a non-Punjabi (Chauhan), probably belonging to Uttar Pradesh and personal assistant to Sandip Pathak, the Rajya Sabha MP of AAP, has been appointed as chairman of the Punjab Industrial Corporation by CM Mann," said Khaira.
"Firstly, it's an insult to all those AAP volunteers who have worked for the party and secondly, it shows AAP is so bankrupt of leadership that they couldn't find a suitable person from Punjab for this office," he added.
Sukhbir, in a post on X, said: "Chief minister @BhagwantMann has again shown that he is ready to sell his conscience and his state to @ArvindKejriwal to remain in his chair. Now he has surrendered two key posts – chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board to acolytes of Kejriwal and the matter's henchman @SandeepPathak04 — Reena Gupta (advisor to Kejriwal and secretary, Delhi AAP) and Deepak Chauhan (UP-based aide of Pathak).
"
AAP spokesperson Pawan Kumar Tinu also figures in the list of 31 persons appointed as chairman, vice chairmen, and directors in various govt boards and corporations.
Tinu, who unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election from Jalandhar, has been named the chairman of the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank.
Prabhvir Brar has been appointed as the chairman of PUNSUP, while Tejpal Singh Gill has been appointed as the chairman of PUNGRAIN.
Additionally, nearly 20 vice-chairmen and directors have been appointed across different boards and corporations. The govt has also appointed two new members to Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.
Posting the lists on his X account, chief minister Bhagwant Mann congratulated the new appointees and asked them to carry out their responsibilities with diligence and honesty.
Sukhbir, though, claimed that the AAP leadership wanted to "loot" Punjab.
"The intention is clear. The @AamAadmiParty leadership in Delhi wants to loot Punjab's industry and fill its coffers. Bhagwant Mann has become a willing tool in this systematic policy of plunder," he said.
Questioning the appointments, Congress' Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi posted on X: "CM Bhagwant Mann has completely surrendered the chair to his Delhi bosses. Punjab will not accept such appointments."
Gandhi was commenting on a post by RTI activist Manik Goyal, who posted: "Kejriwal's Delhi gang continues to tighten its grip on Punjab with the appointment of Reena Gupta as Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board. This is one of the most crucial boards in the state. How can a non-Punjabi, with no understanding of Punjab, be appointed to such a key position? Did CM Bhagwant Mann not find a single capable engineer from Punjab to lead this board, or is Kejriwal running the Punjab govt now?"
Several AAP leaders had been waiting for these appointments as a reward for the grassroots level workers who contributed to the party during the last assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
"The fact that these appointments are now being made indicated that the party leadership is bracing up for the next electoral battle," said an AAP leader.
AAP leader Reena Gupta replaced Adarsh Pal Vig as the chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). She is believed to be the first woman to head the body ever since it was set up in 1975. A separate order was issued for her appointment by the secretary, department of science and technology and environment, on Monday.
Criticising the decision, Khaira posted on X: "Bhagwant Mann's double blunder, after committing a serious mistake of appointing a non-Punjabi as chairman of the Industrial Board he has now handed over the most vital position of chairperson, Punjab Pollution Control Board, to one Reena Gupta, secretary, AAP Delhi, and former advisor to the Kejriwal govt."
"Both appointments clearly show that Arvind Kejriwal wants to control the industry of Punjab through his henchmen… This blatantly wrong appointment should be scrapped immediately, and an eminent Punjabi should be appointed to this vital position," he added.
Vidhan Sabha Panels (BOX)
Punjab assembly speaker on Monday nominated MLAs as chairpersons of various House committees. AAP MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar will head the public accounts committee, while Manjit Singh Bilaspur will be the chairperson for the committee on estimates. Deputy speaker Jai Krishan Singh will be the ex-officio chairman of the House committee and Budh Ram will head the committee on panchayati raj institutions.
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Abhijay A is policy analyst and independent researcher specialising in international relations, public policy and global diplomacy.
