NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH : With both Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and party MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu not ready to accept a peace formula, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met political strategist and advisor to Singh, Prashant Kishor to discuss factionalism in the state unit. Sidhu gave a twist to proceedings by praising the Aam Aadmi Party for endorsing his vision for Punjab.
AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary (organization) KC Venugopal, Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat were present at the meeting. Sources said the meeting was to find a solution to ongoing tussle between the two leaders. Another meeting is expected on Wednesday.
“Both are not ready to accept the solution proposed as a peace deal. Sidhu leaving the party at this juncture will be a setback and we are hoping for a solution soon,” said sources. After the meeting, Rawat said: “In the next three to four days, there will be good news. So many leaders meet him and convey their views. He takes inputs from everyone.’’
The reshuffle in the state cabinet is taking longer than expected on account of continued lack of consensus on the formulation to Sidhu, who had reportedly expressed his desire to be Punjab Congress president. His role remains the main hurdle because Amarinder has opposed it. Placating Sidhu and keeping Amarinder on board at the same time is proving to be a tough task for the party.
Sources claimed it is deliberated that a party leader might be appointed as the Speaker and the Punjab Congress president is also expected to be changed. Other than that, appointing working presidents is on the cards and a few ministers might be shown the door. Kishor had recently met Amarinder with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in the capital. Singh had said any decision taken by Gandhi would be acceptable to him and the party.
Meanwhile, Sidhu tweeted: “Our opposition AAP has always recognised my vision & work for Punjab. Be it Before 2017: Beadbi, Drugs, Farmers Issues, Corruption & Power Crisis faced by People of Punjab raised by me or today as I present “Punjab Model” it is clear they know who is really fighting for Punjab.”
In another tweet, Sidhu wrote: “Our Opposition singing about me and other loyal Congressmen. If you come in AAP then it is fine if you stay in Congress there can be trouble.
The Opposition dares to question me, yet they can’t escape my Pro-People Agenda...This means they have resigned to their fate.” he added. AAP Punjab president Bhagwant Mann had challenged Sidhu to raise the issue of corporates running private thermal plants. Mann said Sidhu, who tweeted on PPAs, should respond to his challenge. In reply, Sidhu shared an old video showing AAP leaders including Mann commending Sidhu for being an upfront leader.