The Punjab congress crisis is expected to end today, as the party will choose the new state unit chief. Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi is expected to make an announcement on the matter by today itself.
According to the sources, Navjot Singh Sidhu would lead the party's state unit and four working presidents will be appointed with him. As Congress was already mulling an idea of appointing a Dalit, an OBC and an upper caste Hindu as the working presidents, therefore, speculations are the four name could be Vijay Inder Singla, MP Manish Tewari, Ashwani Sekhri, and MP Santokh Chaudhary.
Sources informed that all the five presidents have to work together, as decision making power lies with all and decision of no one president will be considered final. It is being said that the Captain Amarinder has laid down some of his conditions before Harish Rawat and appointment of four other leaders could be one of his conditions to agree to party high command on Sidhu’s elevation as president.
Besides, Navjot Sidhu has today met Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Chairman Sunil Jakhar and other MLAs earlier in the day. After this meeting, Sidhu mentioned Jakhar as his elder brother and a guiding force. Jakhar too has described Sidhu as a capable man.
Sidhu also met Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and senior party leader Lal Singh, who are close aides to CM Amrinder Singh. Furthermore, he paid a visit to Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and MLAs Barindermeet Singh Pahra, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Kulbir Singh Zira and Davinder Singh Ghubaya.
Also Read: No headway yet, ‘Capt Amarinder reiterates to abide by INC president's decision’, says Rawat
Meanwhile, the AICC general secretary and Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat visited Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in Mohali. Rawat’s meeting with Captain today comes a day after he met Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sonia. However, he did not reveal any information about new state Congress chief but said that the crisis may end soon.
Following his meeting with Harish Rawat, Capt Amarinder Singh's spokesperson stated that the Punjab Chief Minister will accept every decision of the party's high command.
“I had a really fruitful discussion with Harish Rawat. Reiterated that any INC president's decision will be accepted by everybody,” Punjab CM was quoted by Raveen Thukral, CM’s Media Advisor.
However, CM Amrinder Sigh has raised several concerns that the party must address. “Raised certain issues which Harish Rawat said he’ll take up with the INC president,” CM was quoted.