Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 28
Jolted by Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation months ahead of Assembly elections, the Congress on Tuesday put up a brave face, describing the former MP’s reaction as emotional.
“All will be well. This is an emotional reaction by Mr Sidhu,” AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi is learnt to have initiated consultations with select senior leaders on the way forward. It is learnt the views of veterans are being sought on how best to address the “royal mess.”
A leader said the replacement of PCC chief could well be on the table though a last-minute reconciliation, which appears difficult, may also happen. “With his public resignation, the messy fallout and subsequent resignations of supporters, Sidhu appears to have made reconciliation difficult, if not impossible.The party wants a solution but this is a Catch-22 situation. My sense is a search for replacing the PCC chief may well be on while other solutions are mulled. Views are being sought on the way forward,” said a Congress leader.
Top sources said placating Sidhu, although desirable, was a tall order as it would entail replacing sitting ministers and officers chosen with the approval of CM Charanjit Singh Channi.
“The choices for the Congress are extremely tough now,” said an AICC functionary.
Punjab crisis: Sonia consults party veterans on the way forward
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