Arora likely to be inducted into Mann-led cabinet
Aam Aadmi Party
's new poster boy,
Sanjeev Arora
, who won the
Ludhiana West by-election
, is likely to make his entry in the Bhagwant Mann-led
Punjab Cabinet
as the party sets its house in order in the state. Mann will shuffle his Cabinet this week as two berths have been vacant. The chief minister is expected to make inductions, relieve some ministers of their current charge and assign new portfolios.
According to sources, 62-year-old Arora is likely to be inducted and given a heavy portfolio. A businessperson and Rajya Sabha member, Arora is internally recognised for introduction of the
Punjab government's land pooling scheme
and the newly-formulated 'Fast-Track Punjab', a long-standing demand of industry owners.
A Ludhiana-based industrialist, who did not wish to be named, told ET that the by-election victory should not be seen as a win for AAP, but a confidence vote for Sanjeev Arora. "He is a trusted name in Punjab as he understands what industry owners need for ease of doing business and has their support," the person said. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had announced during the Ludhiana West bypoll campaign that Arora, when elected, would be inducted in the Cabinet. Arora is the chairperson and managing director of
Ritesh Properties and Industries Ltd.
, a group of 18 firms with offices across India. Though he started out as a garment manufacturer in Ludhiana, he is now involved in real estate, housing, and industrial and commercial sectors. Sources said Kejriwal could entrust him with the industries portfolio. The last Cabinet reshuffle in Punjab had taken place in September 2024, when five inductions were made.
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Sources said the party is not satisfied with some of the new ministers. Local government and parliamentary affairs minister Ravjot Singh could be eased out, they hinted.
With 18 months to go for Punjab elections, AAP is trying to set its house in order. After the massive electoral loss in Delhi in February this year, Punjab elections will be a do-or-die battle for AAP.
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