Sidhu to accept post of Capt’s deputy or campaign panel chief
Navjot calls on Rahul, Priyanka
Disgruntled Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu met former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Vadra on Wednesday and is learnt to have discussed his role in the expected revamp in the party’s State unit ahead of Assembly polls in Punjab.
The former Punjab Minister is at loggerheads with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and has gone public against him. Sidhu took to twitter to share his meetings with Rahul and Priyanka. “Had a long meeting with @priyankagandhi Ji,” he tweeted.
Sources informed The Pioneer that Sidhu, in his meetings with Rahul and Priyanka, has agreed to the position offered by them, and the announcement for the same is likely anytime from now.
It has been learnt that Sidhu has been offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister or the campaign committee in-charge, which the former Minister has reportedly agreed to. It has also been learnt that the discussion was also held on heading the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), but having Jat Sikhs at both the apex positions did not suit the party.
A senior party leader maintained that with the high command already asking the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to work on 18 issues, it was clear that he would be leading the party’s poll campaign. “The post of Deputy Chief Minister or campaign committee chairman should be acceptable to Sidhu as he has all along been maintaining that he was not after posts but meant to fight on issues,” added the leader.
AICC sources said both the leaders heard Sidhu but did not give any assurances over his various demands related to revamp in the Punjab unit of the party as well as Amarinder Singh-led State Government.
Sources also said Rahul conveyed to Sidhu that the incumbent CM is an important leader of the party, a dedicated war horse and very senior in terms of age and experience as well. Sidhu was, however, committed that his political expertise can definitely be used by the party in present circumstances as well in forthcoming Assembly elections in the State. He was told that major changes are on the cards and he will definitely be part of it after a final meeting with party chief Sonia Gandhi shortly.
The crucial meetings came amid talks of the Congress leadership making efforts to bring all leaders together ahead of next year’s Punjab Assembly polls and present a united face of the party.
Sidhu was to meet Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, but the latter denied there was any meeting fixed between him and the Amritsar East MLA. “No meeting with Sidhu,” Rahul had told reporters when asked whether he Sidhu was suppose to meet him.
Congress leadership is trying to revamp the party’s Punjab unit and present a united face ahead of Assembly elections in the State early next year. AICC sources said the party leadership is trying to work out a position for Sidhu in the revamped party or state government, but he is adamant on not working with CM Singh.