AMRITSAR: Newlu appointed Punjab Congress chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu throws a fresh challenge to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh by holding meeting with about 62 party MLAs out of total 77 at his residence in Amritsar on Wednesday. They all accompanied Sidhu to Golden Temple and Durgiana temple to pay obeisance.
Deepinder Dhillon, a senior Congress leader from Zirakpur who is close to Maharani preneet Kaur was also present at Sidhu’s house. Other prominent lawmakers included Raja Waring, Dr Raj Kumar Verka, Inderbir Bolaria, Barinder Dhillon, Madan Lal Jalapuri, Harminder Gill, Harjot Kamal, Harminder Jassi, Joginder Pal, Pargat Singh, Gobaya, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Randhawa.
Navjot Singh Sidhu was appointed as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief on Sunday. A day later, Navjot Singh Sidhu met party leaders considered close to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. The Chief Minister has refused to meet Sidhu and laid a pre-condition of offering public apology for over 150 derogratory tweets he had made against Capt Amarinder. Sidhu camp however is not ready to apologise.
Sidhu got a rousing reception in Amritsar yesterday when he reached there from his Patiala residence. He is MLA from Amritsar east constituency and three time MP from Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. He started his political career with BJP but later due to differences with BJPs alliance partner SAD he joined Congress party.
After months of infighting, the Congress high command finally brokered a truce between factions led by Navjot Singh Sidhu and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Despite reservations over Sidhu's elevation as the Pradesh Congress Committee Chief, CM Amarinder Singh accepted the party high command's decision in view of the state assembly elections next year.
The Congress high command also appointed four working presidents along with Sidhu in the Punjab unit. Kuljit Nagra and Pawan Goel are from Malwa region, while Sukhwinder Singh Danny is from Majha region, and Sangat Singh Gilzian is from Doaba region.
BJP is taking dig at emergence of Sidhu “Game on. Sidhu 62, Capt 15, ’’ tweeted BJP national spokesman RP Singh. The show of strength by Sidhu has surprised many in Punjab.