Since the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is done and dusted, the Punjab Government is all set to reshuffle its cabinet. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday met AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail and following that it is said that the Punjab Government will undergo a major rejig. As per reports, four ministers can be changed in the Punjab Government. One seat has become vacant in this, while 3 ministers are included. Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, who lost the election from the Patiala seat, has been able to perform well in his assembly.
Similarly, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal managed to save his Ajnala seat and Laljit Singh his seat. While Gurmeet Singh Khudian lagged in Lambi's seat. Earlier, Chief Minister Bhagwant brainstormed on the reasons for losing in the meeting. Mann reportedly discussed the reasons with constituency-wise MLAs, leaders, and candidates. At the same time, the party's National General Secretary Dr. Sandeep Pathak also held a meeting with the MLAs.
This meeting is also being linked to the same reshuffle. Reports suggest that the AAP is considering all the points including the results of the Lok Sabha elections. In such a situation, the power of those ministers who could not perform well in their constituencies can also be reduced.
In the Lok Sabha elections, Aam Aadmi Party has won only 3 out of 13 Lok Sabha seats. These include Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer from Sangrur, Malvinder Kang from Anandpur Sahib, and Rajkumar Chabbewal from Hoshiarpur. 4 ministers had to face defeat in the elections. Similarly, 3 MLAs had to face defeat.
In the 2022 assembly elections, AAP created history by winning 92 out of 117 seats. At that time, the party's vote share was close to 46 percent, which has now come down to 26 percent. At the same time, the vote share of Congress overtook AAP. While BJP has reached third place with about 19 percent vote bank.
17 ministers can be made in the cabinet of the Punjab government. One post has become vacant after Gurmeet Singh Meet Hair became a minister. At present, there are 15 ministers besides Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. These include Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora, Baljit Kaur, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hair, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Dr. Balbir Singh, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Lal Chand Kataruchakk, Laljit Singh Bhullar, Harjot Singh Bains, Harbhan Singh, Chetan Singh Joda Majra, Anmol Gagan Mann, Balkar Singh and Gurmeet Singh Khudiyan.
In the Punjab Cabinet possible reshuffle, two new ministers can be made. Besides, some leaders can be adjusted by making them chairmen in corporations and boards.