Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal resigns as minister, AAP leader says 'Punjab comes first, not the post'

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Punjab Minister, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, on Thursday resigned from his ministerial post, reported ANI.

Citing the reason for resignation, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that he took the decision after he was told that someone else would be given a chance. He stated that he is with the party and there is ‘no problem’.

Speaking to ANI, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said, “I have resigned on my own. Punjab comes first for me; post and department are not important for me. I was told that someone else would be given a chance, so I said yes, definitely a chance should be given, and that is why I have resigned. There is no problem. I am with the party...”

In other news, Tarunpreet Singh Sond will continue to be in charge of the Rural Development, Labour, and Tourism departments, reported The Tribune.

After the news of his resignation emerged on social media, Dhaliwal, who is an MLA from Ajnala constituency, in a post on X wrote, "My hard work continues for the welfare of the people of Punjab."

Meanwhile, CM Mann extended best wishes to Arora upon becoming the minister.

"Sanjeev Arora ji has been given the responsibility of Industry & Commerce, Investment Promotion, NRI Affairs departments. I hope that Sanjeev Arora ji will live up to the expectations of the people of Punjab. He will work with full honesty and without any discrimination for the development of Punjab and the welfare of 3 crore people of the state," Mann said in a post on X. 

The Aam Aadmi Party appointed Sanjeev Arora, a newly elected MLA from Ludhiana West, to the portfolios of the Department of Industry and the Department of NRI Affairs.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria earlier administered the oath of office and secrecy to Arora at Punjab Raj Bhawan.

Following Dhaliwal’s resignation, the total number of ministers in Bhagwant Mann's cabinet in Punjab remains at 16, and two berths in the Cabinet remain vacant.

With agency inputs.