July 15 was full of high-voltage political drama in thehistory of Punjab Congress as the day’s ending brought contradictory statementsfrom a prominent leader that put the state unit in chaos.
The day began with Congress General Secretary and PunjabCongress in charge, Harish Rawat statement that “Navjot Sidhu is going to bethe new Chief of Punjab Congress.”
The cricketer-turned-politician, who is at loggerheadswith Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh since his entry into the state unit in2017, was likely to replace current Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President,Sunil Jakhar.
While being near to end the deadlock in the state unit, twist in the plot arose as Congress interim Chief Sonia Gandhi called Mr. Rawatfor a high-powered meeting.
While talking to the media reporters after the meeting, Rawattook a u-turn and reiterated “Sidhu’s accommodation as PPCC Chief is not sure.”
“Who said this? I did not state it yet,” Rawat saidadding a twist to his earlier statement.
Mr Rawat clarified, “I said that the decision will be taken around what you're saying.”
He further revealed that in themeeting with Sonia Gandhi, future logistics of the party were discussed overthe Punjab political tumult.
It is to be recalled here, earlierthis week, Mr. Rawat had already met Rahul Gandhi to deliberate on PunjabCongress infighting and had decided to implement the truce formula to endthe longstanding feud between Capt Amarinder Singh and Navjot Sidhu.
Rawat’s meeting was scheduled withMr. Gandhi for July 14, which could not take place as the latter had othermeetings. Nevertheless, Mr. Rawat reiterated crisis in the state unit would beresolved soon as a significant formal announcement is on the way to declareSidhu as Punjab Congress Chief.
The latest statement of Mr. Rawathas put the lobbyists and Congress leaders in a state of dilemma, pondering,"What Next"?
Meanwhile, Amritsar MLA Navjot Sidhu’scamp has kick-started the preparations to celebrate his victory ahead of theformal announcement. Posters claiming Sidhu’s victory in the tug of war wasseen hanging across the state with a slogan “Punjab di hungaar, Sidhu iss vaar,”meaning for the 2022 Assembly Elections, Punjab wants Sidhu.
The poster further read, “BabbarSher Ek Hi Hota Hai.”
While the other sect lifted postersfor their true representative with a slogan, “Sadda Nara, Captain Dobara.”
Furthermore, Navjot Sidhu has evenorganized a meeting of his (rebellious) camp at the Chandigarh residence ofSukhjinder Randhawa. According to the sources, Jalandhar Cantt MLA PargatSingh, technical education minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhbinder SinghSukh Sarakaria, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa was present in the meeting alongwith other peeved leaders.
The meeting was called to decide thenext move of Navjot Sidhu once he formally gets inducted as PPCC Chief. Thesources have also suggested that Sidhu might visit Golden Temple, Amritsar onJuly 16 for thanksgiving.
This was a one-sided story of Sidhu’scamp, as their deliberations were related to Capt Amarinder Singh’s ignorant behaviorahead of the Cabinet rejig. The leaders might have streamlined their take onCapt but, no one has revealed a little piece of information to the media afterwrapping up the meeting.
However according to the sources, ithas come to light that anti-Captain group might tender mass resignation if CM sacksany of their ministers from the Cabinet.
Taking arms against his formercolleague, Capt Amarinder Singh also called a meeting with his supportivefellows at his farmhouse at 5:30 pm today. Minister Sham Sunder Arora, MPJasbir Singh Dimpa, Aruna Chaudhary, MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, took part in themeeting along with other leaders.
These ministers and leaders havereposed their faith in Capt Amarinder Singh’s governance and have declared thatthey will contest the 2022 Assembly Elections under the patronage of Punjab CM.
The meeting convened by each factionhead signifies that none of them is willing to bow down to the other.
The sources have further emphasized,Harish Rawat’s u-turn came after Capt Amarinder Singh built pressure on him andthe High Command. Notably, Capt Amarinder is not gratified with the Centralleadership’s new peace formula that involves the elevation of Sidhu as the party’sstate unit chief.
Though after a few rounds of meetingwith Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi, Punjab CM said, “Whatever decisionshe will take, will abide by it.”
Before this, Capt Amarinder has alsosaid, “Not comfortable to work as Punjab CM if Sidhu becomes party chief.”
Earlier, being blunt at theCongress, Sidhu said, he does not want the High Command to treat as a“showpiece” during elections.
Now, decisionto end the deadlock to accommodateSidhu in the state unit typically remains in the hands of Sonia Gandhi.
WillCapt Amarinder’s resistance towards Sidhu work as a powerful weapon to devoidhim of elevation or Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi’s backing of Sidhu will make Sidhu state unit’s president. The upcoming days will reveal this all as HarishRawat can reach Chandigarh soon to take up a meeting with Punjab CM while theHigh Command will furnish its own call on the matter.