Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 1
Even as PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has not given any clarity on the issue of withdrawing his resignation — a day after he met Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi to end the impasse on the issue of appointment of DGP, A-G and re-induction of some ministers — all eyes are on the party high command to announce the three-member coordination committee to end the impasse.
On Friday, neither did Sidhu utter a word on his Twitter handle on the outcome of yesterday’s meeting, nor the AICC make any statement regarding the way forward in resolving the impasse between the two leaders.
Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who was in Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, did not meet former party president Rahul Gandhi or any top leader.
The Punjab Government today appointed advocate Rajwinder Singh Bains as the Special Public Prosecutor to ensure speedy justice in the sacrilege and subsequent police firing incidents, indicating there was no clarity on Sidhu’s demand for replacing Advocate General (A-G) APS Deol. AICC observer Harish Chaudhary, who was in Chandigarh, met Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa and minister Tript Rajinder Bajwa to resolve the ongoing deadlock.
Yesterday’s deliberations to end the impasse do not seem to have gone down well with leaders of the Majha brigade, who are part of the Channi-led government. It is learnt Home Minister Randhawa, who is part of the Majha brigade involved in toppling Capt Amarinder Singh, is not comfortable with Sidhu interfering in the Home affairs. Sources said it is more of a credit war as to who scores the brownie points in pushing party’s agenda on sacrilege and police firing cases.
While sending the panel of officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for appointment of the new DGP, the Home Minister was reportedly not kept in the loop. With CM Channi, Sidhu and Randhawa not being on the same page, the repercussions may be felt in the coming days.
As Captain Amarinder has announced his decision to say goodbye to the Congress, political compulsions seem to be working in favour of Sidhu.
“As Captain Amarinder has announced his decision to leave the Congress, the party cannot afford to lose Sidhu. It will reflect poorly on the Gandhi siblings. Moreover, Capt Amarinder would try to pull down Sidhu and the Congress. This has forced the party leadership to accede to Sidhu’s contention,” said a senior party leader.
Point of contention
- Home Minister Randhawa is apparently not comfortable with Navjot Sidhu interfering in his ministry’s affairs
- Sources say it is more of a credit war as to who scores brownie points in pushing party’s agenda on sacrilege cases
Party reaches out to Majha brigade
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