Congress High Command is in full swing to accommodate thesulking leader, Navjot Singh Sidhu into the Punjab Congress to end the deadlockin the state unit.
Despite the contradictory statements made by CongressGeneral Secretary and Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat that Sidhu will be the stateunit’s new President, party interim Chief Sonia Gandhi summoned the cricketer-turned-politicianto New Delhi on July 16 to make peace between the two dissident leaders.
Though, it is not a cake-walk to make Captain AmarinderSingh and Navjot Sidhu reconcile as they hold their own set of beliefs,principles and perspectives which incite them to behave accordingly.
Here are key points which suggest that despite thousandsof efforts to reunite the disgruntled leaders, certain things will nottransform at any cost.
1. Nationalistvs Liberal
Captain Amarinder Singh is a truenationalist and also wears this identity as he hails from the Indian Armybackground. For his nationalistic stance, BJP is also said to have a ‘soft spot’from him and once PM Narendra Modi has even called him a ‘swatantra fauji’(independent soldier).
While on the other hand, Navjot SinghSidhu religiously practices a liberal route in politics. He has even challengedPunjab CM quite a many times while being in and out of his captainship.
Notably, the difference in theirapproach to handle political affairs came at a time when India witnessedhorrendous Pulwama terror attack and taking arms against Pakistan Army Chief,General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Punjab CM said, “And let this Bajwa know, I want tosay it openly, you dare try to enter our territory and we will set you right.”
On the ceasefire violations, CaptAmarinder made another remark and said, “Does the Army teach you kill ourjawans at the border?”
However, later Navjot Sidhu, not followingCaptain’s footsteps, went to Pakistan to attend his ‘friend’ Imran Khan’sswearing-in-ceremony in 2018.
2. Organizationalvs Individualist
Capt Amarinder’s ideology is to work inan organization and his own principle made him able to have control over PunjabCongress. Though Navjot Sidhu has an individualistic approach to tackle thepolitical matters, this time he has managed to raise a rebellious camp ofhalf-a-dozen ministers against Capt Amarinder.
Before the 2017 Assembly elections, there werereports that Rahul Gandhi wanted to have, ‘Sidhu’, a different person to be in thechief ministerial run, however, Capt’s pressure did not make it happen.
Once again, showing his organizational powerin Punjab Congress’ Fort amidst the political tumult, Capt had organized a luncheonwith sidelined 35 Hindu leaders to secure his position.
3. Authorityvs Aspiration
Capt Amarinder Singh has always been adecisive leader in the Punjab Congress be it over national issues or on state political issues. He has refrained himself to take a dig at Congress’s topleaders.
Prior to the 2017 Assembly Elections,when Rahul Gandhi inducted Sidhu in the state unit, the latter was hailed byPunjab CM. However, Capt Amarinder Singh always remained disgruntled of thefact that Sidhu, who aspired to become Deputy CM, cannot be at the secondposition to him. Capt Amarinder’s authoritative behavior made it happen afterhe made Congress triumph in the polls.
Sidhu, who always held high-aspirationsto lead on supreme position has always been subdued by Capt’s command.Despite his numerous efforts when Sidhu realized his words are no more powerfulhe rebelled. As Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi back Sidhu for hispolitical role, he made Gandhi brother-sister his audience and sang a rebellious song for thePunjab CM.
Also Read:Punjab Political Drama: Sonia Gandhi calls Rawat, latter takes a u-turn while Sidhu’s preparation on
4. Winnervs Winner
Both Capt Amarinder Singh and NavjotSidhu did not take an easy call against one another. The nature of both theleaders is to be ‘winner’. Thus, amidst the Punjab Congress infighting, ifSidhu becomes PPCC Chief it won’t be acceptable by Capt, as the latter will becomea loser, who held an authoritative position in the Congress yet was unable tobuild pressure on the High Command to resolve the feud.
5. No risktakers
Capt Amarinder Singh has controlledPunjab Congress’s fort with dignity and resilience. He contested the 2017 AssemblyElections on his own terms and conditions and led the party to make a landslide victoryagainst SAD-BJP. There were times in2017, when Capt Amarinder denied implementing Prashant Kishor’s strategies tocontest elections after keenly observing the ground reality.
However, now again, 2022 Assembly Pollsare round the corner, Capt does not want to induct Sidhu and make imminent rejigin the Cabinet and organizational structure as it could have an impact on theparty’s victory.
6. Unevenelection contesting tickets distribution
As Navjot Sidhu has formed a rebelliousgroup with over 6 ministers and some leaders ahead of Assembly Elections, CaptAmarinder Singh is afraid that it could harm the interest of his aides whenelection tickets will be distributed.
7. Distrustfulness
The frequent war of words between CaptAmarinder Singh and Navjot Sidhu is known to the world. Punjab CM has publicallyraised an objection against Sidhu’s role in a famous TV show. After Sidhudecided to quit the reality programs, he planned to enter politics. Witha brief stint in BJP and unable to make a supreme position for himself, Sidhujoined Congress. And once again, he has hinted at joining AAP while electionsare just eight months away thus, fills Capt with distrust for Sidhu.
Also Read:Navjot Sidhu, Rawat’s meeting with Sonia Gandhi over, decision on Sidhu’s coronation still pending