Amarinder Singh meets Punjab Congress in-charge Rawat amid rising party crisis in the state

On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met Congress party state in-charge, Harish Rawat, amid rising tensions in the party’s Punjab unit. CM said after meeting that any decision taken by party president Sonia Gandhi would be accepted by all. On Friday, Amarinder had written to Mrs. Gandhi regarding his reservations on the probable elevation of Navjot Singh Sidhu as PPCC President. 

In an attempt to pacify the CM, Rawat flew down to Chandigarh for the meeting. CM later addressed the media stating of a fruitful meeting with Rawat. A party official tweeted, “Had a fruitful meeting with @harishrawatcmuk. Reiterated that any decision of @INCIndia President will be acceptable to all. Raised certain issues which he said he’ll take up with @INCIndia president,’ @capt_amarinder.” 

On Friday the crisis in Punjab’s Congress party unit further deepened as CM Amarinder Singh told the party president reiterating that a Hindu community person must be nominated as PPCC President. 

Earlier in the day Sindhu also met Jakhar and many MLAs strengthening speculation around his appointment as new head of Congress’s Punjab unit. Sidhu also called on three Cabinet ministers including Sukhjinder Randhawa, Gurpreet Kangar, and Balbir Sidhu at their residences.

Mr. Jakhar said Sidhu had paid a courtesy visit to him at his residence. “Strength lies in unity and Mr. Sidhu should strive to work with everybody in whatever position he holds. While no official announcement has been made, he [Sidhu] should take everybody along.”

On appointment, Sindhu is likely to pay his respects at Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar. After that, he is expected to take out a rally from Amritsar that will pass through Hussainwala and Khatkar Kalan. 

Sidhu’s elevation as state’s party head is “inevitable” according to party sources. The Party president also said that it was only “out of respect” that Rawat was meeting Amarinder Singh in Chandigarh. The decision of Sindhu’s appointment had already been finalized by the central leadership.