Kejriwal to tighten control over Punjab Government to streamline its working
CHANDIGARH: In a major crackdown on Punjab CMO, Baltej Pannu Media Advisor (Overseas) to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Rajbir Singh OSD to CM and Manpreet Kaur Director Social Media have been removed rom their posts. They were asked to submit their resignations immediately. Pannu is Citizen of Canada.
Manpreet Kaur was appointed a month back as a replacement to Naveen Wadhwa who was also shunted out of CMO last month. Earlier Onkar Singh OSD to CM who handled all personal tasks of Bhagwant Mann was sent home. Another aide Manjit Singh OSD (Media Relations) and long time friend of Bhagwant Mann was removed unceremonaisly.
The entire media network for the quite some time is being handled by Aadil Khan, a close associate of AAP Supreme Arvind Kejriwal. He is appointed Special Media Advisor to CM. He is also streamlining the advertisements for print and digital media in the PR Department.
It is reported that the full control of the CMO would soon be given to Vijay Nair a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal. Nair was arrested in Delhi Excise scam along with Arvind Kejriwal. It is understood that these steps were being taken to streamline the working of Punjab Government and minimise the role of Bhagwat Mann in day to day decisions. The appointment of KAP Sinha as Chief Secretary who is considered close to AAP top leaders is also aimed at clipping wings of Bhagwant Mann.
The reports said that Baltej Pannu's name allegedly figured in some Hawala transactions. Similar allegations are being made against former OSD to CM Rajbir Singh. They both have Canadian family ties. Pannu is also constructing a mansion house in Patiala which is talk of the town. Former PR Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra is also reportedly constructing a bunglow in the neighbourhood of Pannu.
AAP supremo is reportedly upset with reports of amassing of huge wealth by CMO officials and certain former ministers. The AAP Supremo is also not happy over handling of law and order situation in Punjab. After losing all hopes of coming to power in Haryana, AAP has now shifted the full focus on Punjab, only full fledged srate in its conrol. The political situation in Delhi is also not very favourable at this moment.
Meanwhile Bikram Majithia former SAD minister has demanded from center to issue LOCs for Pannu and Rabir Singh to stop them from fleeing out of country.