Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s son-in-law- advocate Tarun Vir Singh Lehal has been appointed as the state’s Additional Advocate General on Monday. With just months ahead of Punjab assembly 2022 polls, the appointment of advocate Lehal has given the opposition a chance to slam ruling Congress yet again.
Advocate Tarun Vir Singh Lehal has been appointed Additional Advocate General in the office of the Advocate General of Punjab on a contractual basis until March 31, subject to renewal on
an annual basis.
The key development comes amid a stalemate dispute between Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi and party unit head Navjot Singh Sidhu over the appointment of “compromised officers”
to two top government posts- DGP and Advocate General.
After DGP and AG appointment’s, this would be the third appointment made by the Channi government creating a huge controversy. The opposition has alleged, “nepotism by the Congress
in key government offices.”
Taking a jibe at Congress government in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha tweeted, “Congress is fulfilling its principal poll promise of 'Har Ghar Naukri'
but with minor modification.”
“Recipients of these jobs are family members of Congress ministers & MLAs. Latest beneficiary is Dy CM Randhawa's son in law,” he added.
Mr Chadha also mocked Punjab Congress saying that new CM “Channi is essentially carrying forward Captian's legacy.”
Also Read: 'Lacks political will’: Sidhu slams Channi govt over handling of Kotkapura firing case
In another tweet, the AAP leader asserted: Channi = Captain + PR. Months earlier, Captain Amarinder Singh, the former Punjab CM had appointed son’s of two Congress MLAs to high rank
government posts on compassionate grounds which had created a massive outcry and political backlash.
Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “The Congress is only living up to its promise of taking forward dynasty politics.” "The AAP will bring this issue up in
the Assembly and ask the government for answers," he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy CM Randhawa, who is also the state's Home Minister, defended the decision claiming that Lehal's appointment was legal.
"The appointment was made on the recommendation of the Punjab Advocate General. His enrolment number is P-1968/2008, and he has more than 12 years of experience as a lawyer, with more
than 500 cases pending in the High Court.”
“It's a contract for less than six months, not a permanent position," the minister explained.