edited by: Pathikrit Sen Gupta
Last Update: January 25, 2023, 00:15 IST
It is being speculated that Sidhu may be among the 50 prisoners who may be given special remission under the ‘Amrit Mahotsav of Freedom’. File Photo/PTI
Plans are being made even as his closest aide is unclear about his release from jail, with some indicating that any clarity will come only on January 26.
Even as uncertainty looms large over Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s premature release from Patiala jail, serving a one-year jail term in a road rage case, his supporters put up posters welcoming Navjot Singh Sidhu in Ludhiana and some other places on Tuesday. And put up banners. After the release of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief.
Hailing him as the “savior of Punjab”, Sidhu’s supporters have gone on a rampage to ensure that his release from jail turns into a major political event.
Senior Congress leader Lal Singh’s son and former MLA Rajinder Singh has asked people to gather outside Patiala jail on January 26 to welcome the cricketer-turned-politician.
Plans are being drawn up despite his close aides still not being clear about his release, with some indicating that any clarity will come only on January 26.
Former PPCC chief’s media advisor Surinder Dalla wrote on Twitter: “Savior of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat Navjot Singh Sidhu coming soon.” He also shared a picture of Sidhu’s poster.
However, there has been no official statement on Sidhu’s release from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the prison portfolio.
It is being speculated that Sidhu may be among the 50 prisoners who may be granted special remission under the “Amrit Mahotsav of Freedom”. He was to be released in three phases: August 15, 2022, January 26, 2023, and August 15, 2023.
Sidhu is serving a one-year sentence and has completed about 68 per cent of it in jail without parole or furlough.
Senior party leaders are keeping their fingers crossed and refraining from issuing a statement on Sidhu’s release.
Without mentioning Sidhu, Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa on Monday sought an explanation from Mann whether the cabinet had approved the exemption and forwarded the list of Punjab prisoners.
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