The Punjabcongress crisis is expected to end today with Navjot Singh Sidhu would beofficially announced for the post of Punjab Congress President. However, theSidhu vs Captain match still seems to continue.
Close on the heels of Captain Amrinder Singh’s meetingwith Punjab incharge Harish Rawat at his Siswan farm house in the morning whereCaptain reportedly reiterates that he will abide by the decision of the partyhigh command on the appointment of Sidhu as Punjab Congress President, but there are reports that say Captain has made it amply clear to the Rawat that hewill not entertain Sidhu till he tenders apology in public for his commentsagainst him on his social media platforms.
This new twist has created another dilemma that maylinger the coronation of Sidhu for some time. Notably, the crisis in PunjabCongress was likely to be resolved today. Punjab Congress in-charge HarishRawat had a long meeting with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today and thelatter had made a statement that every decision of the party high command willbe acceptable.
It was believedthat the captain may have laid down some of his conditions before Harish Rawatto pass on the same to the party high command. Sources claimed that onecondition which was laid down by the Captain was Sidhu should tender a publicapology for his comments against him besides he also suggested four workingPresidents in the Punjab Congress.
Conveying the party's decision, Rawat informed the ChiefMinister that there would be three to four working presidents of his choicealong with Sidhu. He would also be free to revamp his Cabinet, Rawat reportedlytold the Punjab Chief Minister.
Even though Captain Amarinder had now accepted the decisionof party high command, he has condemned the way matter was handled at the Delhioffice. According to close Congress sources, Captain has told Harish Rawat thatchoosing PCC Chief is Congress president prerogative, however, the way thematter was handled was highly incorrect.
CM Amarinder Singh has clearly stated that he will notmeet Sidhu until he apologizes for his derogatory tweets and other publicstatements.
It's been several months now since Sidhu has beenpublically attacking CM Captain Amarinder Singh. Sidhu was recently seen givingout interviews criticising the CM and Punjab Congress functioning on variousissues.
When Punjab and Haryana HC had quashed the investigationin the Kotkapura firing case, Sidhu had accused CM of delaying justice andbeing soft on Badals. Besides, he had questioned Captain Amarinder Singhregarding the inaction or evasion regarding the menace of drugs which has beeneating away at the roots of Punjab for a long time.
Also read: Punjab Congress Crisis likely to end today, Sidhu to head state unit along with 4 working presidents
It remains to be seen what decision party high commandwould take in the light of new conditions laid by the Captain? Politicalexperts feel that the party high command has in principle agrees to thesuggestion of four working presidents but they cannot compel Sidhu to tender apublic apology. In such a condition the situation will again go back to squareone.
(With inputs from Dinesh Sharma)