Dr Ravjot will also continue to hold charge of the Parliamentary Affairs department.

Major Shift in Punjab Cabinet: Sanjeev Arora Handed Key Portfolios

Punjab's Industry, Investment Promotion, and Power Minister Sanjeev Arora has seen a major shift in his political career following a Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday. Arora has been assigned the high-profile Local Government department, which was previously held by Dr Ravjot. This change makes Arora one of the most influential ministers in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cabinet, coming just six months after his induction.

The reshuffle involved a swap of portfolios, with Dr Ravjot taking over the NRI Affairs department, which was formerly under Arora. Dr Ravjot will also continue to hold charge of the Parliamentary Affairs department. The changes were reportedly finalised after discussions between CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria granting official approval later in the day.

Arora’s promotion is being seen as a strategic step to connect with urban Hindu voters. The Local Government department is currently overseeing the critical task of ward demarcation. By placing Arora, a businessman turned politician with an urbane persona, in charge, the party aims to woo urban voters ahead of the upcoming elections.

Although speculation regarding a Deputy Chief Minister post did not materialise, Arora now wields substantial influence over significant economic and urban portfolios. This consolidation of power highlights the party’s confidence in his performance and its focus on urban governance.

Source: The Tribune