By IANS,
Chandigarh : Prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) such as Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal Wednesday as he joins the Punjab cabinet as the new deputy chief minister of the state.
“Parkash Singh Badal, chief minister of Punjab, and his son Sukhbir Badal, chief of SAD, met senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and L.K. Advani respectively Saturday and got their consent over the appointment of Sukhbir as the deputy chief minister. Both the BJP leaders have supported the move,” said the SAD spokesperson here late Sunday evening.
“Various BJP leaders have been invited to attend the oath-taking ceremony and senior party leaders like Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi are expected to reach Amritsar Wednesday,” the spokesperson said.
Bikramjit Singh Majithia, Punjab information and public relations minister, Sunday submitted his resignation from the state cabinet to Parkash Singh Badal.
“There is no pressure on me and I am giving my resignation on my own will. It will make way for Sukhbir Singh Badal to enter the cabinet. I consider myself fortunate as I am vacating the seat for Sukhbir,” said Majithia to mediapersons outside the Punjab Raj Bhawan Sunday evening.
Majithia met Punjab Governor S.F. Rodrigues at Raj Bhawan Sunday to formally inform him about his resignation.
“I think the people of Punjab need the services of Sukhbir and he can serve the state in better form if he is inside the cabinet. I will continue to serve the people of Punjab as an active member of SAD,” said Majithia.
Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Sukhbir, said he is even ready to resign from the state legislature if needed.
Harcharan Bains, media advisor of the Punjab chief minister, said that the oath-taking ceremony of Sukhbir would be held at Amritsar, some 250 km from here, Jan 21.