Punjab CM accepts resignation of Rana Gurjit, Cabinet expansion after Ludhiana MC Poll
New Delhi, Jan 18- Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh today accepted the resignation of his Cabinet colleague Rana Gurjit Singh, who had come under fire from the opposition over his alleged involvement in illegally bagging sand mining contracts.
Capt. Amarinder said he discussed the issue of resignation, which the minister had submitted 10 days ago, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi today and then decided to accept the same.
"The resignation of Rana Gurjit Singh has been accepted," he told reporters here after his meeting with Gandhi.
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Capt. Amarinder said he discussed the issue of resignation[/caption]
He said he would be now forward the resignation to the governor for further action.
The portfolios of power and irrigation, held by the former minister, are now with the chief minister, a state government statement said.
Referring to his meeting with Gandhi, Capt Amarinder said he also discussed with the party chief the issue of reorganising the Punjab Congress as also the expansion of his Cabinet.
Gurjit Singh, an MLA from Kapurthala, in his resignation letter, said though he was associated with his family business for the past 10 years, the controversy surrounding it in recent months had left him with no option but to resign in the interest of the party.
He said he had tendered his resignation on moral grounds as the opposition in Punjab had been trying to corner the chief minister by making "false allegations against me".
Rana, whose family is associated with the sugar, power and distillery business in the state, said he would continue as a legislator and work for the party.
He had tendered his resignation after being accused of illegally bagging sand mining contracts. It was alleged that he acquired sand and gravel mining contracts through "benami transactions in the names of his cook and office staff".
Talking to reporters, the chief minister said a restructuring of the Punjab unit of the party, especially in the context of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, would take place soon.
He said the expansion of his Cabinet would take place after the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation polls.
The new appointments would be a mix of youth and talent, with merit being the key criteria in the selection of the new ministers, he said.
Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and AICC Secretary incharge of the state Asha kumari and party secretary Harish Chaudhry were also present at the meeting of the chief minister with Gandhi. PTI
