Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 1
As Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi rolled out sops for the common man by slashing power tariff — one of the key issues flagged by Navjot Singh Sidhu — the PCC chief didn’t seem to have been taken on board while announcing the populist move.
Chaudhary meets PCC president
State affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary held a meeting with PCC chief Navjot Sidhu at minister Pargat Singh’s residence in the evening
Capt coterie with CM
CM Charanjit Channi is surrounded by the same coterie that used to be around Captain. — Ashwani Sekhri, Congress Leader
Indicating that all is still not well between the CM and PCC chief, Sidhu shortly before the announcement, hit out at his own government, saying: “Hollow poll promises not supported by facts and truth will not help the Congress and if those in power try to mislead people through falsehood, no one will stand by the party. Rather, Punjab needs a clear roadmap to improve its fiscal health by ending the loot by the cable mafia and others like sand mafia.”
Sidhu, who had so far been pushing for the replacement of Advocate General (AG) APS Deol, also doesn’t seem to be amused at reports of CM Channi looking to replace the AG under pressure from various Sikh groups objecting to his appointment. Though the AG has denied having resigned, sources in the CM’s office said as and when the AG is replaced, the party leadership does not want to give the credit to Sidhu.
“Though the issues of high power tariff, and replacing the AG and DGP have been flagged by the PCC chief from time to time, he has not been taken on board when the decisions are announced. The party high command needs to clarify its stand on Sidhu as the elections are round the corner,” said a senior party leader.
In the backdrop of the differences between the two leaders, Punjab affairs incharge Harish Chaudhary held a meeting with the PCC chief at minister Pargat Singh’s residence late this evening.
Instead of sharing the stage with CM Channi when the important announcements were made, Sidhu was seen speaking at a function of the Sanyukt Hindu Mahasabha, an NGO, organised by Ashwani Sekhri, Chairman, Punjab System health Corporation.
Taking on ex-CM Capt Amarinder Singh, Sidhu said Punjabis needed to rise above political parties and select the most suitable person as their leader. Sekhri, whose aim was to create a platform for Punjab’s Hindu community so that their voice is heard, said: “CM Channi is surrounded by the same coterie that used to be around Captain as a result Punjab is being neglected. Our aim is to break the coterie around the CM.”
Need to improve fiscal health: Navjot Singh Sidhu
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