Another major political controversy erupted in Punjab, with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa’s son-in-law appointed as the state’s Additional Advocate General, following which opposition parties alleged nepotism by the Congress in key government offices.
According to a notification issued on Monday, Advocate Tarun Vir Singh Lehal has been appointed as Additional Advocate General in the office of Advocate General, Punjab on contractual basis subject to renewal on annual basis till March 31.
Defending the decision, state Home Minister Randhawa told News18 that Lehal’s appointment was legal. “The appointment has been made on the recommendation of Advocate General Punjab. His enrollment number is P-1968/2008 and he has a practice record of more than 12 years with more than 500 cases pending in the High Court. This is a contractual appointment for less than six months, not a permanent job,” the minister said.
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However, the opposition parties accused the Congress government of nepotism. AAP leader Raghav Chadha took a dig at the party’s poll promise on jobs, saying it only applies to relatives of Congress leaders. “Congress is fulfilling its key election promise of “Har Ghar Naukri”, but with minor modifications. The recipients of these jobs are family members of Congress ministers and MLAs. The latest beneficiary is Deputy Chief Minister Randhawa’s son-in-law. Channi essentially Taking forward the legacy of Capt.,” he tweeted.
Taking a similar quip, Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Congress is only living up to its promise of pursuing dynasty politics. AAP will raise this issue in the assembly and seek an answer from the government.
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The appointment comes at a time when Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu is at loggerheads in the party-led Punjab government over the appointment of APS Deol as Advocate General. The two have publicly clashed over a legal battle in the 2015 sacrilege cases.
In a similar incident last year, the Punjab government had approved the appointment of Gursher Singh, son-in-law of the then Revenue Minister Gurpreet Kangar, as the Excise and Taxation Inspector on compassionate grounds. The then CM Captain Amarinder Singh had approved the appointment, triggering a political backlash.
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