Video ‘bares’ Cong’s unity claim

Chandigarh, October 8

Congress’ attempt at putting up a united face was laid bare yesterday as one-upmanship played out between ‘rival’ camps on the Mohali stage before PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu left for Lakhimpur Kheri in a show of solidarity with farmers yesterday.

Party sources said Sidhu was miffed at Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for arriving late at the protest march. As the CM arrived at the venue, his convoy halted a short distance from Sidhu’s tractor-trailer owing to the crowd. Sidhu, who was addressing party workers, suddenly asked them to begin the march, prompting Channi to scamper through the crowd to join him and flag off the march.

BJP takes swipe at pcc president

  • The BJP on Friday took a swipe at the Congress, saying PCC chief Navjot Sidhu had himself admitted that the party was fast diminishing in its stature in the country. BJP general secretary Dr Subhash Sharma said Sidhu was frustrated at losing out to Charanjit Singh Channi on becoming the CM
  • The BJP general secretary said in a video which had gone viral, Sidhu had admitted in a huff that his party (the Congress) was rapidly diminishing and losing space. “Finding himself isolated and left behind, the PCC president is on a rampage now,” he said

Purported comment

  • In a video circulated in media, PCC working president Sukhwinder Singh Danny is heard talking to Sidhu about the success of event
  • In reply, Sidhu is heard saying: “If Sardar Bhagwant Singh’s son (Sidhu) was made the CM, you should have seen the crowd”

However, media houses today played video clips of Sidhu purportedly saying: “If Sardar Bhagwant Singh’s son (Sidhu) was made the Chief Minister, you should have seen the crowd.”

In an apparent indication of CM Channi and Sidhu not being on the same page, PCC working president Sukhwinder Singh Danny in the video is heard talking to Sidhu about the success of the gathering. Sidhu’s remark came in reply. Danny refused to take calls today, while his team handling his media affairs said they didn’t want to make any comment.

A senior party leader said: “Tension is palpable between top party leaders in the context of the recent developments. Sidhu was asked by the party to fall in line after he continued with his objections to appointments of the AG and DGP.” After a clear message to Sidhu from party leader Rahul Gandhi, who made it a point to take CM Channi along last night to meet the families of farmers who died during the UP violence, Sidhu seemed keen on bouncing back.

“Politically speaking, this is seen as an assurance to Channi that party will stand with him after the forthcoming elections,” said the leader. — TNS

Video ‘bares’ Cong’s unity claim
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