Now,lobbying for CPs begin

“As there is no set criteria that how many MLAs can be given berths of CPS so it will depend on the government,as last time there were 14 CPS,this time there can be more CPS. The BJP,which won 12 seats and has four ministers. So at least the party will get three berths of CPS,” said a SAD leader.

The grapevine is that BJP’s Babu could be made the deputy speaker as Manoranjan Kalia is no more interested in continuing in the post. Navjot Kaur,first time MLA and wife of Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu could be made CPS. Sidhu had earlier lobbied for a cabinet berth for his wife but failed,said sources.

Among the Akalis,the names doing the rounds for the CPS are Dr Daljeet Cheema,he was political advisor to the CM in last government and now an MLA,Pargat Singh who could be attached with deputy chief minister’s office for sports department. Singh was director sports before he resigned from the post and fought the elections. But both Cheema and Pargat are first-time MLAs.

It is also likely that the party will put a Hindu face for the post of CPS as 10 candidates from the community have won on SAD tickets. The race is therefore between Bathinda (Urban) MLA Sarup Chand Singla,Parkash Chand Garg won from Sangrur,Deep Malhotra from Faridkot,Prem Mittal from Mansa and NK Sharma from Dera Bassi.

Since there has no representation from Gurdaspur district so the party may nominate GS Babehali who has won again. The name of Virsa Singh Valhota and first timer Manpreet Singh Ayali are also doing the rounds.