With Sidhu s Show of Strength in Amritsar, Tide Appears to Be Turning in Punjab Congress thewire.in - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thewire.in Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
JALANDHAR: The factor which worked for Captain Amarinder Singh in 2015 when he could get support of several MLAs to build pressure on the party high command to get Partap Singh Bajwa replaced as the Punjab PCC president is now working for Navjot Singh Sidhu. It is the perception among MLAs and prospective candidates that Sidhu could help them win their seats in the 2022 assembly elections that has made them welcome his appointment as PCC president despite Amarinder’s serious objections and unhappiness.
In 2015, they believed that Amarinder, not Bajwa, could lead them to victory. Amarinder enjoyed such support from party MLAs and other senior leaders that Bajwa was isolated and the high command was forced to replace him.
CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Amid continuing signals that Amritsar (East) MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu may be handed the charge of the Punjab Congress, an official suggestion to this effect on Thursday triggered a controversy, forcing a notional back pedalling by the party and laying bare the pressures and counter-pressures at play.
AICC in-charge of Punjab Harish Rawat was quoted in media as saying that Sidhu could be made the party president and a peace formula to ensure that the cricketer-turned-politician and chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh were on the same page had been worked out.
The remark turned up the political heat among Punjab leaders opposed to Sidhu who view him as a newcomer to the party. While some started contacting the Delhi leadership over what was coming, those close to the CM as well as the GenNext leaders antagonistic to Sidhu were agitated. Rawat’s announcement came as a surprise for the Amarinder camp and leaders considered close to him made calls to party lea
NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: Amid continuing signals that Navjot Sidhu may be handed the charge of the Punjab Congress, an official suggestion to this effect on Thursday triggered a controversy, forcing a notional backpedalling by the party and laying bare the pressures and counter pressures at play.
AICC incharge of Punjab Harish Rawat was quoted in the media as saying that Sidhu could be made the party president and a peace formula to ensure that the cricketer-turned-politician and CM Amarinder Singh were on the same page had been worked out.
The remark turned up the political heat among Punjab leaders opposed to Sidhu who view him as a newcomer to the party. While some started contacting the Delhi leadership over what was coming, those close to the CM as well as the GenNext leaders antagonistic to Sidhu were agitated. A war of wits played out in public, with separate meetings of the CM with loyalists, while Sidhu called on dissident ministers in Amarinder’s cabinet.
Earlier, Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat had said, The party is working on a formula to appoint two working presidents and elections will be fought under the leadership of the Chief Minister,” IANS reported. Sidhu is expected to be appointed as the Chief of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), as per media reports. However, an official announcement has not been made yet, it is likely to be declared soon.
Further, Rawat had said that it may take some time, but the party is working on a formula to appoint Navjot Singh Sidhu in a prominent position. Moreover, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has already said that he will abide by the party high command`s decision. He had met party interim chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi last week.