Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh get new BJP in-charge

The BJP has appointed Agra MP Rama Shankar Katheria as incharge of Punjab affairs, replacing senior party leader and Kangra MP Shanta Kumar. BJP media incharge Srikant Sharma has been given charge of Himachal Pradesh, whereas Anil Jain has been made incharge of Haryana.

The BJP has appointed Agra MP Rama Shankar Katheria as incharge of Punjab affairs, replacing senior party leader and Kangra MP Shanta Kumar.

BJP media incharge Srikant Sharma has been given charge of Himachal Pradesh, whereas Anil Jain has been made incharge of Haryana.

Since Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, Shanta Kumar has been acting tough on the coalition partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) asking the Punjab government to maintain financial discipline.

Confirming the appointment, Srikant Sharma said Shanta had not been given charge of any other state. Shanta currently heads a committee to suggest unbundling of the Food Corporation of India.

Katheria is the close aide of BJP president Amit Shah, who effected the appointments.

BJP leader from Himachal Pradesh JP Nadda has been made in-charge of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The party has retained Avinash Rai Khanna as the Jammu and Kashmir in-charge.

Katheria’s appointment is being considered crucial, especially as Punjab heads for the assembly polls in 2017, and it is being debated whether the BJP would continue its alliance with the SAD in the 2017 polls.