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Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns: He had taken over as the state party chief in July this year. (FILE)
New Delhi:
The ongoing crisis in Punjab deepened today with Navjot Singh Sidhu’s surprise resignation as the chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. “I told you so… he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab,” said Amarinder Singh, the former Chief Minister, shortly after. The resignation comes just months before the Punjab election.
Mr Sidhu, however, in a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said he will continue to serve the party. He had taken over as the state party chief in July this year.
“The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab,” he wrote in the letter.
Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh is presently in Delhi, days after his unceremonious exit from the government. His visit is “personal” and there is “no need for speculation”, the former Punjab Chief Minister’s media advisor tweeted today.
He had resigned amid a bitter power tussle with Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. After resigning as Punjab chief minister, Amarinder Singh had said he felt “humiliated.”
Here are the Live updates on Punjab Congress Crisis:
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reaches Delhi.
#WATCH | Former Punjab CM and senior Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh reaches Delhi amid resignations by Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and treasurer Gulzar Inder Chahal pic.twitter.com/Lx2bXfejwC
– ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2021
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi On Tuesday said that he has full confidence and faith in Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as state Congress chief a few hours ago, reported news agency ANI.
“I have full confidence and faith in (Navjot Singh) Sidhu Sahab,” Mr Channi said while addressing a press conference today.
Mr Sidhu in his resignation letter to party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi said, “The collapse of a man”s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab”s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress.”
Meanwhile, Mr Channi, who addressed the media after Mr Sidhu stepped down from his post said that he had “no information” over the matter.
Punjab Congress Crisis: BJP leader on Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation as Punjab Congress chief
Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as he must have felt sidelined, said BJP’s Ashwini Sharma on his resignation as Punjab Congress chief. Mr Sidhu’s resignation comes just months ahead of the state elections.
Soon after Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from the post of Punjab Congress President, former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that Mr Sidhu is unstable and unfit for the state of Punjab.
“I told you so…he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab,” said Captain Amarinder Singh in a tweet.
The former Punjab Chief Minister and senior Congress leader’s remarks came as Mr Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Unit of the Congress.
Punjab Crisis – “He is not upset with me”: New Punjab Chief Minister
“It will be settled if he is upset…though he is not upset with me,” said Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Sigh Channi on Navjot Singh Sidhu being upset over bureaucratic set up and his commands not being followed after cabinet expansion in Punjab, reported news agency ANI.
The resignation, months before the Punjab election, has shocked the Congress leadership and is seen as a huge blow, given that the Gandhis were warned about appointing Mr Sidhu as Punjab Congress chief. It was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had pushed for Mr Sidhu, against all odds.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are yet to reach Delhi after their visit to Shimla.
#WATCH | Former Punjab CM and senior Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh arrives at Chandigarh airport to leave for Delhi. pic.twitter.com/tgfoiOHyqv
– ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2021
The Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday claimed that Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu quit from his post as he ”could not bear” that a Dalit has been made the chief minister of the state.
Mr Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee ahead of the Assembly elections in the state early next year.
In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Mr Sidhu, however, said he will continue to serve the party. He had taken over as the state party chief in July this year.
“This shows that Navjot Singh Sidhu is against Dalits. One poor son was made the chief minister… this, Sidhu could not bear. It is very sad,” AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj told reporters.
The AAP is the main opposition in Punjab.
Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were seen at Chandigarh International Airport on their way to Delhi from Shimla. Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh is also reaching Delhi from Chandigarh.
#WATCH | Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were seen at Chandigarh International Airport on their way to New Delhi from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh is also reaching Delhi from Chandigarh pic.twitter.com/VYaiK9f2JP
– ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2021
“Complete and absolute state of anarchy in Punjab Congress,” said AAP leader Raghav Chadha after Navjot Sidhu’s resignation. “How can the people of Punjab expect these selfish leaders to give a stable, progressive and inclusive administration? How can these people be trusted with a state which has 550km border with Pakistan?” he tweeted.
Complete and absolute state of anarchy in Punjab Congress. How can the people of Punjab expect these selfish leaders to give a stable, progressive and inclusive administration? How can these people be trusted with a state which has 550km border with Pakistan?
– Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) September 28, 2021
Shortly after Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as Punjab Congress chief, his rival Amarinder Singh delivered the first taunt to the party leadership. “I told you so… he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab,” the former Chief Minister tweeted.
For Amarinder Singh, who resigned earlier this month as Chief Minister citing humiliation by the party, this is vindication much sooner than he may have expected.
Navjot Singh Sidhu has resigned as Punjab Congress chief, in a stunning development just days after Amarinder Singh was replaced as Chief Minister in a series of events that had his approval.
“The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner. I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. I will continue to serve the Congress,” Navjot Sidhu wrote in a resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi, which he posted on social media.
The resignation, months before the Punjab election, has shocked the Congress leadership and is seen as a huge blow, given that the Gandhis were warned about appointing Mr Sidhu as Punjab Congress chief. It was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had pushed for Mr Sidhu, against all odds.
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