In a massive development, the Punjab Government is all set for a cabinet expansion on July 3. Buzz around Punjab Cabinet Expansion amped up after Sanjeev Arora won the Ludhiana West By-election. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal had promised that if Sanjeev Arora wins the Ludhiana West By-election, then he will be inducted into the cabinet as Minister. Hence, there is a strong possibility that the newly elected Ludhiana West MLA Sanjeev Arora will be inducted as a minister. Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are already underway, and approval for the event has reportedly been sought from the Raj Bhavan.
Reports suggest that a final decision could be taken by tonight, as discussions within the party leadership reach their conclusion. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had recently stated that a cabinet reshuffle would take place within the next two to three days.
For the unversed, this will be the seventh cabinet expansion under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in its three-year tenure in Punjab. While Arora's entry into the cabinet is almost certain, it is yet unclear whether additional ministers will be inducted or only departmental reshuffling will be done within the existing 16-member cabinet.
Punjab is constitutionally allowed to have up to 18 ministers, including the Chief Minister.