Giving final shape to the truce formula to resolve crisis in the state unit, newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congree Committee (Chief) Navjot Singh Sidhu, on Friday finally assumed charge of the office. Along with him, four new working presidents of the organizational structure took charge in Chandigarh.
Although, Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh was part of the formal event however, the cold war between the two leaders was visible as the latter did not issue a public apology for making ‘derogratory remarks’ against him.
Addressing the public at coronation ceremony, Sidhu once again did not leave any stone unturned to take dig at his own government.
Though two leaders, who shared the stage for the first time in nearly four months, were seen sitting together at the installation ceremony, bitterness among the two was also visible during the event during which they did not share even a single word.
To address the public at the coronation ceremony, the newly appointed Chief stood up from his seat and without cognizing Capt, went on to seek blessings of the party’s veteran leaders and began his new innings.
On the stage, Sidhu did not leave any stone unturned to take dig at his own government especially at Punjab CM and said, “Those who oppose me, improve me.”
While addressing the party workers Sidhu said Presidentship was not an issue for him as his real issues were sacrilege, protesting farmers, protesting unemployed teachers, protesting doctors and nurses, and other burning issues, which was creating a sense of uncertainly among the people of the state.
Sidhu said “My fights are not the issue, the farmers sitting in Delhi, the protesting TET qualified teachers, the problems of doctors and nurses and bus conductors are the real issues”.
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On the flip side, Capt Amarinder Singh started on a ‘cordial note’ and reminiscences his ties with Sidhu’s family.
"I was commissioned in the Army, the year Sidhu was born. When my mother asked me to enter politics, his (Sidhu) father helped me. I used to go to his house when he was about six years old," said Amarinder Singh.
Ending speculations of differences between him and Sidhu, Amarinder Singh said, "We (Sidhu and Amarinder Singh) will work together for Punjab. Not just for Punjab, but for India. We share a long border with Pakistan...Pakistan, China and now with America's departure, Taliban in Afghanistan, all of them are going to come and sit at Kashmir's border, Punjab's border," the Chief Minister said.
Today’s
event however, stirs another row for the Punjab Congress as the peace formula
introduced by the High Command does not seem to be withstanding. Assembly Elections in the state are just seven months away, Sidhu's installation as party chief means the fight is still on as he did not comply to the conditions laid by Capt Amarinder Singh.
Though Capt Amarinder and Navjot Sidhu had shared the same stage to send out a message that the problems have been resolved, sources in political circles say that the unease which was evident at the event among the Sidhu-Capt camps is indicating a beginning of yet another round of infighting.
Sources say the two will again have differences when the party will decide on the ticket distribution process for the upcoming elections. “Sidhu will try to fit in his close MLAs and friends, particularly who supported him by backing the party's decision of appointing him as PPCC President, while Capt Amarinder might oppose his decisions”, they said.