Punjab cabinet minister Razia Sultana and former IPS officer Muhammad Mustafa's (who is strategic advisor PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu) daughter-in-law, Zainab Akhtar has been elected as the chairperson of state Waqf Board on Saturday. The appointment of the minister’s kin has once again sparked controversy in state, with the opposition taking a dig at ruling Congress.
Shiromani Akali Dal has criticised the appointment of Sultana’s daughter-in-law and labelled it a “tradition of nepotism.”
“The tradition of nepotism thrives & 'ghar ghar naukri' means jobs for every Congressi ghar. The daughter-in-law of Punjab cabinet minister Razia Sultana & IPS officer @MohdMustafaips (principal strategic adviser to @sherryontopp) is appointed chairperson of Punjab Wakf Board,” read a post by SAD’s official Twitter account.
This is not the first time that Congress is being targeted by opposition parties over the employment of party members’ kin.
Earlier this month, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s son-in-law- advocate Tarun Vir Singh Lehal was appointed as the state’s Additional
Advocate General. Following this, taking a jibe at Congress government in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha had tweeted, “Congress is fulfilling its principal poll promise of 'Har Ghar Naukri'
but with minor modification.”
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“Recipients of these jobs are family members of Congress ministers & MLAs. Latest beneficiary is Dy CM Randhawa's son in law,” he added.
Mr Chadha also mocked Punjab Congress saying that new CM “Channi is essentially carrying forward Captian's legacy.”
In another tweet, the AAP leader asserted: Channi = Captain + PR.
Months earlier, Captain Amarinder Singh, the former Punjab CM had appointed son’s of two Congress MLAs to high rank government posts on compassionate grounds which had created a massive
outcry and political backlash.
Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “The Congress is only living up to its promise of taking forward dynasty politics.”