Punjab: First-time MLAs give feedback to Prashant Kishor, point out shortcomings of govt

The MLAs, who were present in the meeting, told The Indian Express that they had apprised Kishor of issues including bureaucracy ruling the roost in the state, elusive ministers, who preferred to stay away from the Civil Secretariat and workers not getting a hearing with them.

3 min readChandigarhMar 25, 2021 09:10 AM IST

First-time MLAs give feedback to Prashant Kishor, point out shortcomings of govt

Kishor will be meeting senior MLAs too and chalk out a strategy for the party. (Express File)

DAYS after AAP rally at Moga, first-time Congress MLAs at a meeting with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s Principal Adviser and poll strategist Prashant Kishor Wednesday lamented non-fulfilment of promises, bureaucracy ruling the roost, ministers’ absence from secretariat, inadequate debt waiver, lack of closure of Bargari sacrilege, inflated power bills and other issues.

Kishor held a meeting with first-time Congress MLAs and took feedback about the ground situation ahead of 2022 Assembly elections in the state. About 34-35 MLAs met him in groups of three each and gave him feedback on the issues that confronted the Congress.

The MLAs, who were present in the meeting, told The Indian Express that they had apprised Kishor of issues including bureaucracy ruling the roost in the state, elusive ministers, who preferred to stay away from the Civil Secretariat and workers not getting a hearing with them.

“There are only a few ministers who are available. Bureaucracy runs the show in Punjab. We told Kishor that. We have told the party leadership too but things have not changed much. The ministers do not sit in the secretariat. If we get party workers and supporters from the field, we do not know whom to take them to. Nobody is available. How would you keep the morale up?” an MLA said.

Also, a few MLAs raised the non-fulfillment of promises, including lack of jobs, not taking Bargari sacrilege to a logical conclusion.

Preferring anonymity, a first-time MLA said that Kishor wanted to know if drugs was still an issue. “We told him that we do not see groups of youth sitting openly and consuming drugs anymore. But the government was not able to catch the big fish. That promise is unfulfilled. The report of chief of STF on drugs is lying sealed in an envelope in the High Court. But nothing has happened. People ask
us on the ground. How do we answer?”

A few MLAs said that the debt waiver also did not pay up much as the political people were not involved in the process of rolling out the
waiver.

Story continues below this ad

Some of them raised the issue of inflated power bills saying that people were sick of expensive power in the state even as the government had failed to act on a pre-poll promise of cancelling the power agreements with private companies.

Kishor will be meeting senior MLAs too and chalk out a strategy for the party. While several leaders have been feeling that such feedback should be taken by the political organisation, some others felt that Kishor had already got surveys done on the ground.

“His teams have been there in the state conducting surveys. He knows the ground reality. That is how we told him everything without mincing any words,” an MLA said.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Recommendations...

Mar 11: Latest News

Live Blog