I am disappointed, says Alphons Kannanthanam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal’s fear that the appointment of an independent administrator for Chandigarh would dilute the state’s claim over the union territory cost Alphons Kannanthanam the plum post. The centre allayed Badal's fears by appointing V.P. Singh Badnore, a former Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan, as Punjab Governor who as per convention will also be the new UT administrator.  

“I am disappointed at the turn of events. I was UT administrator for a day at least in the media. But jokes apart, I was looking forward to working in Chandigarh which is a beautiful city and for its people,” Kannanthanam told DC. The centre decided to withhold the move following Akali Dal's strong reservations.

Badal's party was apprehensive of its impact on the crucial Assembly polls in 2017. The ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine is on a sticky wicket. A couple of opinion polls held recently had predicted a landslide for Aam Aadmi Party giving it 80 to 100 seats out of the total of 117. With the AAP also terming the appointment of an independent administrator for UT as “anti-Punjab” step, the Akalis could not have backed the centre's decision.

“Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh were declared disturbed areas in 1984 and brought under Governor's rule. Since then the practice of Punjab Governor holding the charge of UT administrator has been continuing. Prior to 1984, the independent chief commissioner used to govern the union territory,” said Chandigarh-based veteran journalist Jagtar Singh.

“It is all politics and there is nothing personal against Alphons. He is an upright and bright personality. Unfortunately, he became a victim of politics over Chandigarh since Akali Dal felt that an independent administrator would dilute Punjab's claim over Chandigarh,”  he said.