Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 1
Congress Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat on Friday questioned Capt Amarinder Singh’s “humiliated” remark, saying that no facts suggested that the former chief minister was “insulted by the Congress”.
Rawat, who is in Dehradun, said that the party had retained him as the chief minister for several years, “how can that be humiliation?”
He alleged Amarinder’s “closeness to some BJP leaders” and questioned his credibility, alleging that “Capt was acting under the BJP leadership pressure”.
“It appears from Amarinder’s recent statements that he is under some sort of pressure. He should do a rethink, and not help the BJP directly or indirectly,” said Rawat.
Capt Amarinder rejects Harish Rawat’s outrageous claims; says Congress clearly on back foot in Punjab now
Taking strong exception to Harish Rawat’s no-holds barred attack against him, former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday rejected the Congress Punjab in-charge’s outrageous claims and allegations, which he said were clearly prompted by the pathetic situation the party now found itself in the state after being on a winning spree for four and a half years.
“Three weeks before stepping down as CM, I had offered my resignation to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi but she had asked me to continue,” said Capt Amarinder, adding that the humiliating manner in which he was pushed into resigning just hours before the CLP meeting, which was clearly convened to oust him, was a matter of public record.
“The world saw the humiliation and the insult heaped on me, and yet Mr. Rawat is making claims to the contrary,” he remarked, adding “If this was not humiliation then what was it?”
Rawat, he said, should put himself in his (Capt Amarinder’s) shoes, and then, perhaps, he would realise how insulting the entire affair was.
The former chief minister of Punjab recalled that Rawat himself had publicly stated after meeting him that he was satisfied by his government’s track record on the 2017 poll promises.
In fact, the Congress in-charge of Punjab had categorically stated, as recently as September 1, that the 2022 elections would be fought under his (Capt Amarinder’s) leadership and the high command had no intention of replacing him, he pointed out.
“So how can he now claim that the party leadership was dissatisfied with me, and if they were, then why did he deliberately keep me in the dark all this time?” he asked.
Ridiculing Rawat’s remarks that he (Capt Amarinder) seemed to be under pressure, the former chief minister said the only pressure he had been under for the past few months was that of his own loyalty to the Congress, because of which he continued to tolerate insult after insult.
“If the party did not intend to humiliate me then why was Navjot Singh Sidhu allowed to openly criticise and attack me on social media and other public platforms for months? Why did the party give the rebels, led by Sidhu, a free hand in undermining my authority? Why was no cognisance given to the uninterrupted spree of electoral wins I handed over to the party through the 4 and a half years I was in the saddle?” he asked.
Capt Amarinder asked why the Congress was allowing Sidhu even now to hold the party to ransom and continue to dictate terms.
“What is the pressure he exerts on the party leadership that they are so defenceless against him and are allowing him to have his way even to the cost of the Congress’ future in Punjab?” he asked.
Reacting to Rawat’s comment regarding his secular credentials, Capt Amarinder said even his worst critics and enemies could not doubt his integrity in this regard.
“But I am no longer surprised that a senior and seasoned Congress leader like Mr. Rawat is questioning my secular credentials. It is quite evident that I am no longer trusted and respected in the party that I have served loyally all these years,” he added.
Categorically denying Rawat’s allegation that he (Capt Amarinder) had refused to meet Channi after the latter’s swearing-in, the former chief minister said Channi had called him up on the day of his swearing-in and was supposed to come over but failed to turn up.
As for not taking Rawat’s calls, Capt Amarinder said it was all humbug. “We spoke just a day before the CLP meeting was called. Mr. Rawat told me then there was nothing in the works and even claimed he had not seen any letter sent by 43 MLAs. I am shocked at the blatant way in which he is now lying about this,” the former chief minister added.
Rawat questions Amarinder’s 'closeness to BJP’, says 'insulted by Congress' charge baseless; Capt hits back
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