The political crisis in Punjab is apparently resolved as Navjot Singh Sidhu will remain the head of state Congress unit. Sources claim that a coordination panel is expected to be formed,
which will be consulted before the Punjab government makes any major decisions in the future.
The said committee will also monitor the progress of Congress's 2017 Punjab election promises. The key decisions were made in a meeting headed by Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi
to pacify Sidhu at Punjab Raj Bhavan, last evening. The two hour long meeting was also attended by Congress observer Harish Chaudhary, minister Pargat Singh, and Punjab Congress working president Kuljit Nagra.
According to a party leader, the panel might include CM Channi, Navjot Singh Sidhu and a representative from the All-India Congress Committee (AICC).
Summary of key story in 10-points
- Navjot Sidhu's abrupt resignation as party head shocked the party high command. However, his aides described the decision as an "emotional" outburst and claimed Sidhu
will continue to be the head of state congress.
- Sidhu was unhappy about various appointments in the new CM Charanjit Channi’s cabinet. He claimed that tainted officials are being elevated and thus he “can’t compromise
on Punjab’s future.”
Also Read: After remarks on quitting Congress, Is Captain Amarinder planning to dissolve Channi's govt?
- Sidhu wants three officials- minister Rana Gurjit Singh, Advocate General APS Deol and Punjab DGP Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota- out of Chief Minister Charanjit Channi’s government.
- Following the change in leadership last month, the top bureaucracy in Punjab was reshuffled. Following the unceremonious resignation of Amarinder Singh as Punjab Chief Minister, APS
Deol was appointed as AG.
- Another sticking point is the selection of a new director-general of police (DGP), which has been referred to the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). According to sources, Mr Channi
is considering removing Punjab Police Chief Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota. He was also chosen for the post only a few weeks ago.
- Sidhu has accused Sahota of giving a clean chit to the Badals and Baba Ram Rahim of Dera Sacha Sauda in the sacrilege charges when he was in charge of a Special Investigation Team
(SIT) set up by the Badal-led-SAD government in 2015.
- His objection to APS Deol as Attorney General is that he has represented former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and secured bail for him in several cases. Meanwhile, cabinet minister Rana Gurjit
Singh was allegedly involved in a mining scandal. Thus, Sidhu and his aides want him sacked and want to include a clean Dalit face given the upcoming polls.
Also Read: Punjab CM Channi to again meet Congress High Command over issues raised by Sidhu
- Charanjit Channi is Punjab's first Dalit CM. The Congress has labelled its opponents as "anti-Dalit," implying that they are targeting the party because of the political
upheaval.
- Amarinder Singh, one of Punjab's most powerful politicians, announced on Thursday that he will leave the Congress but will not join the BJP. The remark came a day after he met
with Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss farmer issues, according to his adviser.
- Aam Aadmi Party, which is gearing up for a tough fight in the state poll, will profit from the Congress instability, according to Captain. As per a survey conducted by the Congress
between July and September, there has been a "20 percent decline," said former Chief Minister.
