Punjab Congress Crisis: Navjot Singh Sidhu will continue as Punjab Congress President, his aide said. (file)
New Delhi:
Navjot Singh Sidhu will continue as Punjab Congress president and lead the Congress in next year’s election, his aide said today, indicating that the cricketer-turned-politician may back down from his resignation.
Navjot Sidhu’s advisor Mohammad Mustafa told NDTV, “The issue will be resolved soon. Navjot Sidhu will continue to be the Punjab Congress president.”
Mustafa said, “The Congress leadership understands Navjot Sidhu and Sidhu is not beyond the Congress leadership. He is not Amarinder Singh, who never cared for the Congress and its leadership.”
According to him, Mr Sidhu “acts emotionally at times” and the Congress leadership understands.
Sidhu, who was elected Punjab Congress president in July, on Tuesday resigned saying he “can never compromise on the future of Punjab and the agenda of Punjab’s welfare”.
He was upset over key appointments made by new Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who had replaced Sidhu’s rival Amarinder Singh less than two weeks ago.
Sidhu’s resignation was a surprise to the Gandhi family; Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had supported him against Amarinder Singh, taking a huge political risk closer to the election.
Mr Sidhu has not spoken to the party leadership since reportedly resigning, and has reprimanded the Punjab leaders sent to pacify him.
yesterday, he posted a video defending his move. “My fight is based on issues and I have stood by it for a long time. I cannot compromise on my morality, my moral right. What I see is compromise with issues, agenda in Punjab. I will not mislead the high command. I can’t and can’t, I let them be misled,” said Mr. Sidhu in Punjabi.
Chief Minister Channik Spoke to Sidhu over phone yesterday and indicated that he may reconsider some of the appointments.
Channi told reporters, “I told Sidhu that the party believes in consultation, please come and we can fix it. If anyone has any objection to an appointment, I am not harsh on him. No arrogance. Is.”
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