Punjab Government Reassigns Portfolios After Minister's Resignation
In a significant administrative move, the Punjab government has reassigned the portfolios previously held by sacked minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made the decision on Tuesday, just three days after Bhullar's resignation, allocating the transport department to Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and the jails department to Ravjot Singh.
Background and Immediate Actions
This reallocation follows an initial notification issued on Monday, which stated that the governor had formally accepted Bhullar's resignation and that the chief minister would temporarily oversee these departments. The latest decision to distribute responsibilities among existing cabinet members effectively rules out speculation about the induction of new faces into the cabinet for the time being.
The portfolio reallocations were finalized just before CM Mann departed for a four-day visit to Gujarat with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal. During the tour, the leaders are set to address several 'Vijay Vishwas Sabhas' (confidence in victory rallies) and engage with local leaders to strategize for the upcoming municipal and panchayat elections in the state.
Political Implications and Analysis
"By opting to absorb Bhullar's portfolios into the existing cabinet rather than expanding it, the AAP government appears focused on administrative stability and damage control amid intense scrutiny from the opposition," said an opposition leader. This move is seen as an effort to maintain cohesion within the ruling party during a politically sensitive period.
The allocation of the jails portfolio to Ravjot Singh is viewed as a compensatory measure after a recent cabinet reshuffle on January 8. At that time, Ravjot was divested of the high-profile local government department, which was reassigned to Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora. Following that change, Ravjot was left with parliamentary affairs and given the NRI affairs portfolio, previously held by Sanjeev Arora.
Consolidation of Power
With this change, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema further consolidates his position in the state cabinet. He is already handling finance, planning, and excise & taxation portfolios, having recently presented the state's 2026-27 budget. The addition of the transport department places another revenue-generating sector under his supervision, enhancing his influence within the government.
Recent Cabinet History
Earlier, Sanjeev Arora was inducted into the cabinet in July 2025 following his victory in the Ludhiana West byelection. He was immediately entrusted with industries and commerce, investment promotion, and NRI affairs, portfolios previously managed by Tarunpreet Singh Sondh and Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. Shortly after, in August 2025, Arora's influence grew when he was handed the power department, which was taken from Harbhajan Singh ETO.
Chief Minister Mann had conducted a cabinet reshuffle in September 2024, which saw the induction of five ministers—Hardeep Singh Mundian, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Ravjot Singh, and Mohinder Bhagat—while four others were dropped. In January 2023, Patiala Rural MLA Balbir Singh was brought in as health minister following the resignation of Fauja Singh Sarari, who had stepped down after an audio clip surfaced allegedly discussing a plan to "trap" contractors to extort money.
Trigger for Bhullar's Exit
Bhullar's resignation was triggered by a controversy involving the suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation. Before his death on Saturday, Randhawa released a video alleging that he was being harassed and pressured by the minister regarding the awarding of storage tenders. The subsequent naming of Bhullar in an FIR for abetment of suicide led to his arrest on Monday, culminating in his removal from the cabinet.
This portfolio reassignment underscores the Punjab government's efforts to navigate political challenges while maintaining administrative continuity. The focus remains on stabilizing the cabinet ahead of key electoral battles and addressing public concerns amid ongoing controversies.
