In a dramatic chain of events, Navjot Sidhu, who wasquoted as new Punjab Congress President by Party General Secretary and Punjabin-charge Harish Rawat at Delhi on Thursday but later denied to have said that,has been summoned to Delhi where he is likely to meet party interim PresidentSonia Gandhi in the presence of Harish Rawat in the noon.
Sources in the party claimed that crisis in the PunjabCongress intensified further after Rawat quoted Sidhu as new Party Presidentduring a talk with a media channel on Thursday. In a sharp reaction to thedevelopment Caption Amarinder Singh allegedly raised objection over Sidhuelevation as PPCC President, following which Sonia Gandhi called Rawat for ameeting last night.
After meeting Sonia Gandhi, Harish Rawat deniedhis statement quoting Sidhu as new President of PPCC. This was followed by aseries of meetings by Sidhu group and Capt loyalists group till late night.Later CM media advisor Raveen Thukral rebutted the rumours of Captain’sresignation.
Meanwhile, Navjot Sidhu has been summoned to Delhiby the Party Interim President Sonia Gandhi and he is likely to meet her alongwith Harish Rawat in the afternoon.
It would be interesting to see the outcome of thismeeting in which Sidhu would be officially announced Party President or somenew formula to the likes of Capt Amrinder Singh would be chalked out.
A source in Punjab Congress claims that Captain has beenregularly having meetings with his loyalists even on Friday morning. The Sourcefurther claims that in case Party High Command go ahead with Sidhu as PunjabPresident, Captain may resign from the party and can float his own party tocontest next elections. Sources further adds that BJP, which has almost erodedits base in the state due to Farm Laws opposition by the farmers, may offer itssupport to Captain and a formula could reportedly be made to win back thefarmer’s support by repealing the Farm Laws on the request of Captain.
If Captain’s letter written to the PM on Thursday, is anyindication, in which Captain wrote that the state government will extend allpossible cooperation to resolve farmers issue, carries a lot of weight. Captainfurther wrote that he would like to talk to an all-party delegation to find asolution to this issue. Some political parties are making statements that arenot conducive to the law and order situation in the border state.
The elements across the border can try to play with thesentiments of the farmers. He further wrote, "I believe that theGovernment of India should move towards a solution to the demands of thefarmers."
The atmosphere in the state is deteriorating with dailyclashes, protests etc. People are getting upset too. The issue is not beingresolved due to the failure of several rounds of talks between the Centre andthe farmers. The captain has also raised some other issues.
He said that paddyseason was in full swing and farmers should be given a bonus of Rs. 100 perquintal on MSP to solve the problem of burning straw every year. In a possiblethird wave of covid, the adverse effects of straw could have a detrimentaleffect on people's health. He also raised the issue of high cost of DAPfertilizer.