Inthe latest development to Punjab Congress Crisis, 10 MLA’s of the party hasbacked Captain Amarinder Singh and are opposing the elevation of Navjot SinghSidhu as the state unit chief.
Ina fresh bid to challenge the appointment of Navjot Sidhu as state Congresschief, state MPs from both houses of parliament are meeting today at PratapBajwa’s residence in Delhi. The meeting at the time of writing is reportedlyunderway and almost all Punjab MPs have gathered at Bajwa’s house to discussparty’s internal matter along with farmers’ issue.
DescribingSidhu as ‘BJP's reject’ the Congress loyalists in the party are upset with highcommand's decision to make him state chief and had opposed the same in theletter addressed to Sonia Gandhi.
Highlights ofstatement by MLAs backing Capt Amrinder Singh
· Today,over 10 Congress MLAs released a statement urging Congress high command to notlet down CMAmarinder Singh.
· Theyclaimed it was Captain Amarinder “due to whose unrelenting efforts the partystands well entrenched in the state of Punjab.”
· Theten MLA’s are- Harminder Singh Gill, Fateh Bajwa, Gurpreet Singh GP, KuldipSingh Vaid, Balwinder Singh Laddi, Santokh Singh Bhalaipur, Joginderpal, JagdevSingh Kamalu, Primal Singh Khalsa, and Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
· Theappointment of the PPCC chief is the prerogative of the high command.
· MLAsbacked Capt Amrinder Singh and said it was only because of him that the partyregained power in Punjab after 1984 attack and genocide.
· CMAmarinder Singh commands respect across the state, particularly among farmers,for whom he even risked his position as CM when passing the 2004 Termination ofWaters Agreement Act.
· “Mr.Singh stood as a tall leader amongst the Sikhs because of his principled standduring testing times."
· MLAsrecalled the time when Capt Amarinder had put in his resignation as a Member ofParliament from Patiala after 1984 attack on Darbar Sahib.
· Likewise,he resigned as Agriculture Minister from the Barnala cabinet in 1986 afteroperation Black Thunder.
· Inthe released statement, the MLAs explained that pulling the party into adifferent direction by appointing Sidhu as Chief that too just six months aheadof state elections will only do harm.
· MLAsstood by Amarinder Singh’s demand of public apology by Sidhu. They stated thatSidhu has numerous tweets against CM and has made derogatory remarks publicallyfor which Sidhu should tender a public apology.
· CMhas expressed his concerns over making Sidhu the state unit chief as theCricketer-turner politician has condemned and criticized his own party,damaging the image of Congress in past months.
Meanwhile,an announcement regarding Sidhu’s elevation as PPCC Chief could be madeanytime, sources said.
Besides,Navjot Sidhu on Saturday held meetings with Sunil Jakhar and other Punjabministers, which is seen by the political circles as Sidhu's effort to takeeverybody along in the party after he is eventually appointed as the state unitchief.