The
Supreme Court has recently issued a notice of motion to the Punjab government over
election strategist Prashant Kishor's appointment for the cabinet rank.
The notice came in connection with a petition filed by Labh Singh, a retired boxing coach and Satinder Singh, a Chandigarh based lawyer, after they challenged Punjab govt’s methodology of appointing Kishor as principal adviser (cabinet rank) to CM Captain Amarinder Singh.
The bench comprising justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and justice Hemant Gupta has decided to take up the matter on the petition after summer vacations.
It may be noted here that Punjab Assembly Elections 2022 are around the corner and Punjab Congress is knitting the strategy to remain in power. For this, CM Capt Amarinder Singh, earlier in March, had appointed Prashant Kishor as his principal adviser.
For the previous Assembly Elections in the state, it was Prashant Kishor who formulated the strategies and methodologies for Congress easy win.
Meanwhile on the flip side, the petitioners challenging Punjab CM’s decision term his appointment as a clear violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the constitution. The petitioners further allege that the Punjab govt opened no advertisement to appoint a candidate for the exclusive post of “principal adviser,” no interviews, no criteria were adopted either.
According to Article 16(1) of the Indian Constitution, there shall be an equal opportunity to all citizens in employment or appointment to any office under the state.
“Kishor will be enjoying pay, perks, and all facilities from the state exchequer. His appointment is contrary to the provisions in the Constitution,” the petitioners added.
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They further added, “Had proper procedure been followed, more qualified and suitable persons could have been available.”
However, the Punjab govt made the decision of appointment in a surreptitious and hideous manner that came as a setback to the millions of aspirants, petitioners further alleged.
The petitioners, however, doubt the intent of the Punjab govt upon the appointment of election strategist by the Committee in 2017.
“There is a reasonable apprehension in the mind of petitioners that Kishor has been appointed principal adviser just to make election strategies for the coming elections,” the petition said.
It may be noted here that in March a similar petition was quashed by the Punjab and Haryana high court.