Chandigarh, Jul 3 (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expanded his cabinet on Thursday by inducting Sanjeev Arora, the newly elected MLA from Ludhiana West, as a minister. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria presided over the oath-taking ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, where Arora pledged to uphold office and secrecy. Bhagwant Mann, cabinet members, and numerous party leaders were present to witness the occasion.
With this induction, the Punjab cabinet's strength has increased to 17, out of a possible 18 members including the Chief Minister. The last change in the AAP government's cabinet was in September last year, where five new ministers were inducted after replacing four.
Sanjeev Arora, 61, is a renowned industrialist based in Ludhiana, also recognized for his contributions to social welfare through the Krishna Pran Breast Cancer Charitable Trust. Originally a businessman, he transitioned to politics and was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab in 2022.
On Tuesday, Arora submitted his resignation from the Rajya Sabha to Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, which was accepted. Arora succeeded in the June 19 Ludhiana West assembly by-election, defeating Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu by a margin of 10,637 votes. The by-election followed the passing of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January.
AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal had assured during the by-election campaign that Arora would be appointed as a minister upon his election as a legislator.
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