Punjab News Express/Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: With the mining scam involving Punjab Power minsiter Rana Gurjit Singh coming to light, the power struggle with in the party has intensified.
Atleast three ministers are racing to become successors of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Rana Gurjit Singh was one and only favourite of Capt Amarinder Singh who is now finding it difficult to protect him. Rana Gurjit Singh has came on target of opposition parties which are demanding his resignation or dismissal from the cabinet.
It is alleged that Rana Gurjit Singh had attempted to grab the sand mining trade in state by taking over several mines in the name of his employees. He had reportedly acquired four mines for Rs.45 crores approximately though he denied it. The mining scam involving Rana Gurjit Singh is also seen as part of ongoing power struggle in the party.
Capt Amarinder Singh had two months back told the party high command to search for his successor. It sparked speculations that Capt Amarinder wants to leave his position before completing the full term and he wants to install some of his confident in his place. The comments by Capt Amarinder Singh had brought the aspirants of top position in the party and government at the set off mark.
According to party sources, atleast three leaders Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Local self government minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and Rana Gurjit Singh are probale candidates to become next chief minister in case Capt Amarinder Singh vacates his position. The deteriorating health of Capt Amarinder Singh is also one of the reasons, the aspirants are working to build their case for Amarinder's successor. It is belived that Capt Amarinder Singh had faith in Rana Gurjit Singh who is his long time confident. On the other hand Manpreet Badal and Navjot Sidhu had blessings of party vice president Rahul Gandhi.
Capt Amarinder Singh and a group of party leaders, it is understood, is not in favour of Manpreet Badal and Navjot Sidhu to occupy the top post since they both are considered outsiders in the party. Rana Gurjit Singh is only senior minister among the lot who has long loyality with the party. Capt Amarinder Singh had not given number two position in the cabinet to Navjot Sidhu who was even hopeful of becoming deputy Chief Minister. It is belived that Brahm Mahindra who was never in good terms with Capt Amarinder Singh was given the second position to cut Navjot Sidhu to the size.
The sand mining scam allegedly committed by Rana Gurjit Singh was made public at a time when Capt Amarinder Singh is preparing to expand his cabinet. Some new ministers are expected to join the cabinet and departments of some others may be changed. Probabely in a bid to clear the anme of Rana Gurjit Singh from the scam, Capt Amarinder Singh has ordered to set up judicial commission to probe the mining scam. The same modus operandi was adopted by Capt Amarinder Singh during his last tenure (2002-2007) to clear the name of his son Raninder Singh from the IT scam. The former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had also took same route to absolve his ministers like Siakndar Singh Maluka who was named in book scam.
Capt Amarinder Singh is under pressure from outside and within party to take action against Ran Gurjit Singh who was also under media lens for his clash of interest in the PSPCL. The mining scam leakage was also reportedly to deiscredit Rana Gurjit Singh. Otherwise many other Congress and SAD leaders have also taken the mine contracts in auction.