Chandigarh: Just an hour before the Election Commission announce the calendar of events for five states elections, the Punjab government has appointed senior IPS V.K.Bhawra as the new Director-General of Police of Punjab,

The replacement of the new DGP came after amidst security lapses of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the state on Wednesday. The Prime Minister convey was halted at flyover for 20 minutes due to protest of the farmer.

The incumbent DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya has come under fire for security lapses of the Prime Minister. Mr. Chattopadhyaya, 1986-batch IPS officer who is due to retire on March 31.

The file of Bhawra for the next DGP has been sent to the Chief Minister’s approval. Till  Friday evening, Chief Minister Channi did not sign the file. After consulting with Advocate General after hearing ECI may change the DGP in view of the elections. Mr. Chattopadhyaya was the choice of Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. He was appointed as DGP DGP on December 16, replacing 1988-batch IPS officer Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota.

During the meeting with AG, CM asked him what would be the option left for the state if the code of conduct comes into effect, and if he could disagree with the panel sent by the UPSC.

AG suggested that Chief Minister could reject the list sent by UPSC naming senior-most IPS officer Dinakar Gupta for the top post. But as per Supreme Court orders, the state has to agree with the panel direction. With no option