New faces in Punjab cabinet

Rewarded for his significant win in Jalandhar West bypoll

Jalandhar, September 23

Nearly two months after his victory in the Jalandhar West bypoll, AAP MLA Mohinder Bhagat, 66, has been appointed as a minister in the Punjab cabinet. This marks the first time Bhagat has held both MLA and ministerial positions. Bhagat’s appointment is seen as a reward for his significant win in the bypoll, where he was presented as AAP’s “honest” and “saintly” candidate. He secured the seat with a decisive margin of 37,325 votes, defeating BJP’s Sheetal Angural.

Mohinder Bhagat, the son of BJP veteran Chunni Lal Bhagat, joined AAP after leaving BJP in 2023, despite initial opposition from his father. His decision paid off, as he became both an MLA and a minister in quick succession, filling a decade-long gap for his family in the Assembly. Chunni Lal Bhagat, who held the Jalandhar West seat in 2007 and 2012, had served as a minister in various portfolios under the SAD-BJP government and supported his son’s AAP candidature this year. — TNS

First-time MLA who started political journey in 1992

Sangrur, September 23

Barinder Goyal, the AAP MLA from Lehra in Sangrur district, began his political career with the BJP, contesting his first election from Lehra in 1992. Prior to this, he had filed nomination papers as an Independent candidate in 1991, but the elections were cancelled. In 1995, he joined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and remained with the party for 25 years. Despite his influence in the region, the Akali Dal never fielded him as a candidate, prompting his switch to AAP.

Goyal’s family holds significant sway in local politics, with his sister-in-law serving as the president of the Lehra Municipal Council, while his son and daughter-in-law are municipal councillors. In the 2022 Assembly elections, Goyal contested as the AAP candidate from Lehra, defeating Parminder Singh Dhindsa of SAD (Sanyukt) by a margin of 26,518 votes. Reflecting on his political journey, Goyal expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people. — OC

Gentleman politician who prioritises healthcare

Jalandhar, September 23

Dr Ravjot Singh, the Sham Chaurasi MLA, is known for his clean image and dedication to public service. He replaces Balkar Singh as the Minister for Local Government and also takes charge of Parliamentary Affairs. With an MD in medicine from PGI, Chandigarh, Dr Ravjot has earned a reputation as a gentleman politician who prioritises healthcare and development.

Elected in 2022 from the Sham Chaurasi reserved seat with a 21,000-vote margin, he had previously contested unsuccessfully in 2017 and 2019. His focus on improving healthcare and road connectivity, alongside his strong stance against drug abuse, has made him popular among his constituents.

Dr Ravjot also runs a hospital in Hoshiarpur and is committed to providing free medical treatment for the needy. His leadership is expected to bring positive changes to local governance and healthcare in Punjab. — TNS

Bizman & long-time party worker

Ludhiana, September 23

A long-time worker of the AAP, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, 40, is the party’s state vice-president. Sond had defeated the SAD’s Jasdeep Kaur Yadu by a margin of over 35,000 votes from Khanna segment.

Former Congress Minister Gurkirat Singh Kotli, who is the grandson of former CM Beant Singh and a cousin of Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, had finished a distant third. A young businessman, he had joined AAP in January 2012 and had been active in politics since 2014 after he was inspired by reading Arvind Kejriwal’s book, “Swaraj”. — TNS

Mundian for pro-people governance

Ludhiana, September 23

In his maiden election, Hardeep Singh Mundian, 48, had defeated the Congress’ Vikram Singh Bajwa, son-in-law of former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, by a margin of over 15,000 votes from Sahnewal.

Mundian was in the Lok Insaaf Party floated by former MLA Simranjeet Singh Bains during the 2017 Assembly polls. In 2021, he had joined the AAP and was later fielded from Sahnewal and won. “The AAP government will cleanse the corrupt system and provide pro-people governance,” the new minister said. — TNS