M A I N   N E W S

Divided Punjab BJP sends list for state posts
Sarbjit Dhaliwal/TNS

fighting dissent The intense lobbying for top jobs in government undertakings clearly shows all is not too well within the Punjab BJP Navjot Singh Sidhu (pic) and his wife have voiced their displeasure at the government’s failure to get funds for their constituencies Former minister Manoranjan Kalia and Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna are also unhappy following criticism by party leaders Won’t let voters down: Sidhu New Delhi: The BJP on Tuesday came out in support of its Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and termed the latest Congress jibe at him a “planned controversy”. The Congress had on Monday pasted posters of “missing” Sidhu in key commercial areas of his constituency. Sidhu said though he had some issues he won’t let the people of his constituency down. — TNS

Chandigarh, August 27
After a long delay, a list of senior BJP functionaries has been forwarded to the party top brass to clear the names for the appointment of chairpersons of various government undertakings in Punjab. Infighting in the party had delayed the list.

Alliance partner SAD has already made its share of appointments to top posts of various government boards and corporations such as Punjab Mandi Board.

The BJP wants its functionaries to head the Khadi Board, Punjab State Industrial Export Corporation, Punjab InfoTech, Water and Sewerage Board, the Gau Sewa Board, Punjab Forest Corporation, Women and Child and Social Welfare Board and certain improvement trusts, market committees besides other organisations.

Sources said there was intense lobbying within the party for these posts. The party will have to finalise the names after consulting its senior leaders.

The BJP is experiencing rough weather in the state. The latest instance is that of three-time Amritsar MP and prominent Sikh face in the party, Navjot Singh Sidhu. He has been staying away both from his constituency and his party in the state for some time.

His wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, party MLA from Amritsar (East) constituency, recently met BJP president Rajnath Singh to convey their displeasure at the failure of the party leadership to assert its position in the state. Their main grouse remains repeated needling by certain senior party leaders. The Sidhus are unhappy at the elevation of some of their opponents from the Amritsar region to key posts.

The couple is also miffed at the party’s failure to get money and funds allocated from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal for the development of their constituencies. Several projects, including a multi-activity sports park and flyovers, conceived by Navjot Singh Sidhu are hanging fire for want of funds.

The Sidhus have repeatedly been seeking the release of Rs 100 crore promised for development projects in certain part of Amritsar.

Party insiders say certain senior party leaders have also caused problems for former minister Manoranjan Kalia and Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts, respectively.

Unlike the Sidhus, Kalia and Khanna have refrained from speaking their mind in public.