Chandigarh Top Boss to be ’Demolition Man’ Alphons, Punjab parties livid

Mangalore Today News Network

Chandigarh 17, 2016 : For three decades, Chandigarh has been in the charge of the governor of Punjab. No more. A political controversy has erupted with the centre’s decision to appoint BJP leader KJ Alphons the administrator of the union territory.

 

All political parties in Punjab have reacted sharply to the appointment, which is seen as severely downsizing Punjab’s perceived hold on and claim to Chandigarh ahead of state elections.

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party challenged the Akali Dal, which co-governs Punjab with the BJP, to have the appointment revoked. "You either make the central government, of which your party is an important constituent, rescind the move, or you withdraw your daughter-in-law Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the council of ministers," said Captain Amarinder Singh, the presumptive Chief Minister of the Congress. Bhagwant Mann who is in charge of AAP’s campaign echoed the same demand.

Mr Alphons, 63, is a former bureaucrat from Kerala. He was dubbed "Delhi’s demolition man" for his unflinching removal of thousands of illegal buildings in Delhi in the 90s. He joined the BJP in 2011.

"I am happy that the Prime Minister has reposed faith in me to give such a position. It’s a great city... it’s a great job... It will be nice to be there. I hope to utilise this chance in a good way," he told news agency Press Trust of India, ceding, "though I don’t know much about the city, but I have read a lot about it".


On being told that his appointment will reverse the 32-year-old system of the Punjab governor being the top boss of Chandigarh, he said "Chandigarh is the capital of two states and it requires a full time administrator." He has reportedly visited the city once.