Updated: July 16, 2021 1:08:15 am
An indication by the Congress excessive command that it is able to appoint Navjot Singh Sidhu, considered one of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s essential opponents, the president of the Punjab Congress, on Thursday stirred the celebration within the electoral state.
Sources near Amarinder mentioned he was sad and had instructed the excessive command that he wouldn’t contest the meeting elections with Sidhu as PCC chief.
By night, clarifications and rebuttals had been issued by each AICC common secretary in-charge of Punjab Harish Rawat and the CM – nevertheless, it was clear that the battle within the state Congress had solely worsened, and tensions escalated.
Rawat reached Congress President Sonia Gandhi at round 7.30 pm and later claimed that he by no means mentioned that Sidhu was being appointed PCC President.
However, sources mentioned Rawat’s workplace had additionally ready a press release saying Sidhu’s appointment.
“Mujhse query kiya gaya ki kya woh (Sidhu) honge, toh maine kaha koi bhi faisla…aap jo kah rahe hain iske chaaron taraf hello hoga. Abi kai logistic ends hain jinko jo hai jodna haiRawat instructed reporters after assembly Gandhi.
Now he’ll go to Chandigarh to satisfy the Chief Minister on Friday.
Meanwhile, media advisor to Chief Minister Raveen Thukral tweeted, “Media studies of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh resigning are baseless. He has neither resigned nor supplied to take action. He is in Punjab just like the 2017 meeting elections. I’ll give victory to Congress.
A spokesperson for Amarinder mentioned the CM had already mentioned that he could be offended if Sidhu was made PPCC chief and had instructed the celebration that it will be a disastrous transfer. Thereafter, the choice was left to the excessive command, the spokesperson mentioned.
Sources mentioned that earlier than assembly Gandhi, Rawat had tried to pacify Amarinder by cellphone and mentioned that he had not mentioned something about Sidhu being made the PCC chief.
However, in accordance with sources, by the night the Chief Minister clashed with a number of ministers, MPs and MLAs of his camp at his farmhouse in Siswan close to Mohali. Sidhu can be understood to have met some ministers and leaders near him on the residence of state minister Sukhjinder Randhawa.
The conferences indicated that neither aspect was keen to provide in simply.
Several Congress leaders thought-about near Amarinder instructed The Indian Express on Thursday {that a} “rebellion” was underway within the state unit, and there could be an “explosion” if Sidhu was made the PCC chief. “The party will break,” mentioned one chief.
Sources mentioned Sidhu’s appointment was anticipated to be introduced anytime as Rawat’s workplace had despatched a replica of the assertion to Sidhu for investigation. Despite protests by a number of leaders, the celebration has now determined that Rawat will fly to Chandigarh by helicopter to satisfy the Chief Minister on Friday.
“The excessive command desires to take the CM into confidence. He is a senior celebration chief and if Sidhu is to be made the PPCC chief, the overall secretary in-charge ought to meet him personally and apprise him of the developments.
Sources mentioned Gandhi summoned Rawat amid indications that issues could also be spiraling uncontrolled. It is realized that Rawat’s interview to a tv channel through which he had not directly hinted that Sidhu might be the PPCC chief didn’t go down nicely with the excessive command.
“He feels that Rawat should have allowed the AICC to make the announcement by taking senior party leaders along,” a supply mentioned.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
