Ajaib Singh Bhatti elected as Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker

Congress MLA Ajaib Singh Bhatti was unanimously elected as the Deputy Speaker of Punjab Legislative Assembly on 16 June 2017. 

His name was proposed by the leader of the House Captain Amarinder Singh and seconded by Health Minister Brahm Mahindra, who escorted Bhatti to his new seat.

Bhatti’s appointment was made amid ruckus by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLAs, who continued to raise slogans demanding debt waiver relief for farmers as the CM read out Bhatti’s political history. AAP MLA's on the other hand, staged a walk out after they were not heard ahead of Question Hour. They, however, re-entered the House later. 

About Ajaib Singh Bhatti

• The 65-year-old joined the Congress in 2007 and is a native of Bathinda.

• He is currently serving as an MLA from Malout (Reserve) constituency, a seat that he won during the recent elections held in 2017. 

• He had previously won the Assembly elections from Bhucho in Bathinda in 2007 and 2012.

• He had also previously served as the Additional Deputy Commissioner in Muktsar and Bathinda districts.

Speaking on his appointment, Bhatti assured the house that he will work impartially keeping in view the welfare of the people. Various MLAs belonging to all parties appreciated Bhatti's services in the political field and congratulated him on his election as Deputy Speaker.