New Delhi: Punjab Horticulture Minister Fauja Singh Sarari on Saturday resigned from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cabinet, months after an audio clip surfaced in which he was allegedly heard “fixing an extortion deal”.
Mr. Sarari sent his resignation to Bhagwant Mann, who accepted it, according to sources.
He cited personal reasons as the reason for his resignation, saying that he is a loyal soldier of the party and will remain so.
The oath for the new minister is likely to be administered in a simple program at the Raj Bhavan before 5 pm today.
The 61-year-old’s ouster from the cabinet has been on the verge since an audio clip of his alleged conversation with a close aide about a plan to “trap” some contractors with the help of government officials to extort money went viral on social media.
However, the minister claimed the audio was “edited” to direct him.
After this resignation, there is a possibility of a major change in the Punjab Cabinet.
A retired police officer, Mr. Sarari was elected to the Punjab Assembly from Guru Har Sahai in Ferozepur. He defeated SAD candidate Vardev Singh by 10,574 votes.