Aman Sood
Tribune News Service
Patiala, September 28
Several Congress leaders and MLAs visited PCC chief Navjot Sidhu’s residence here late this evening to “listen to his grievances and know from the horse’s mouth” the reason for his resignation.
Three Cabinet ministers — Razia Sultana, Pargat Singh and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring — and five MLAs — Kuljit Singh Nagra, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Kulbir Singh Zira and Sukhpal Singh Khaira — were at Sidhu’s residence till the filing of the report. A source claimed Sidhu has said he is not willing to rethink “with present political changes in the government” and could not be a mere “puppet in the hands of the party high command”.
“I have promised to the people of Punjab that I will keep their interests above everything else and will not compromise on it,” he is learnt to have told his party leaders at the meeting.
The sources say the MLAs apprised Sidhu that his decision could backfire on those who had sided with him within the Congress. “We have asked him to have a rethink, if not for himself, for the Congress leaders who stood by him,” said an MLA, adding “Sidhu is in no mood for a compromise in his vision of Punjab”.
Party MLA Khaira said they had asked Sidhu, on behalf of the party leadership, to revisit his decision. Even if he was angry at certain decisions, the high command must try to reach out to him, he added.
People’s interests above everything else
I have promised to people that I will keep their interests above everything else and will not compromise on it. Navjot Singh Sidhu to party leaders
Khaira said if he was perturbed over certain appointments, MLAs/ministers concerned should approach him, instead of staying mum. Almost 100 senior party workers visited his residence and submitted their resignation. “We now swim or sink together,” said Mansimrat Singh Riar, joint secretary, Youth Congress.
State Cong treasurer, Gen Secy quit too
Chandigarh/Amritsar: Hours after Navjot Singh Sidhu stepped down as PCC chief, treasurer Gulzar Inder Chahal, and general secretary Yoginder Pal Dhingra also resigned in solidarity. Chahal was handpicked by Sidhu. Dhingra’s resignation came hours after Razia Sultana quit the Channi government in Sidhu’s support. “I have sent my resignation to the AICC chief, but I will continue to serve Congress,” said Dhingra.
High command dials MLAs
Hours after Sidhu resigned, senior party leaders in the AICC called up MLAs to ascertain their point of view. Four ministers who failed to attend the emergency Cabinet meeting convened by CM Channi were also contacted by leaders. Sources said the party wanted to know the support Sidhu had within the party.
Lobbying begins for Sultana’s slot
Even as Razia Sultana’s resignation as minister is yet to be accepted by the CM, MLAs have started lobbying for the slot
Brahm Mohindra
Local Government, Parliamentary Affairs, Elections and Removal of Grievances
Manpreet Singh Badal
Finance, Taxation, Governance Reforms, Planning and Programme Implementation
Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa
Rural Development amp; Panchayats, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development
Aruna Chaudhary
Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management
Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria
Water Resources and Housing amp; Urban Development
Rana Gurjeet Singh
Technical Education amp; Industrial Training, Employment Generation amp; Training, Horticulture and Soil amp; Water Conservation
Razia Sultana (resigned)
Water Supply amp; Sanitation, Social Security, Women amp; Child Development and Printing amp; Stationery
Vijay Inder Singla
Public Works and Administrative Reforms
Bharat Bhushan Ashu
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs
Randeep Singh Nabha
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Food Processing
Raj Kumar Verka
Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, New and Renewable Energy Sources and Medical Education amp; Research
Sangat Singh Gilzian
Forests, Wild Life and Labour
Pargat Singh
School Education, Higher Education, Sports amp; Youth Services and NRI Affairs
Amrinder Singh Raja Warring
Transport
Gurkirat Singh Kotli
Industries and Commerce, Information Technology and Science amp; Technology
72-day innings
July 18: Navjot Sidhu named PCC president, replaces Sunil Jakhar
Aug 11: Appoints Mohd Mustafa, Malwinder Mali, Dr Payare Lal Garg as advisers
Aug 19: Mustafa quits only to be later appointed chief strategic adviser
Aug 20: Capt forms panel to coordinate with Sidhu; meeting never happens
Aug 23: Sidhu takes over as Pradesh Congress chief
Aug 28: Sidhu’s adviser Malwinder Mali quits over K-remark controversy
Sept 18: CLP meet called to replace Capt; he quits
Sept 20: Channi takes over as CM, Randhawa, Soni are deputies
Sept 25: Sidhu’s another adviser Dr Garg quits
Sept 26: 15 ministers in Channi Cabinet take oath
Sept 28: Sidhu resigns as PCC president
Won’t budge, Navjot Singh Sidhu tells party leaders
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