Testing time for new Punjab CM! Will Channi renounce his decision to pacify Sidhu?

Congress once again failed in manifesting a united image in Punjab as Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from his post of PPCC chief on September 28. Undermining the efforts of Congress leadership, the cricketer turned politician remarked, “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."

With less than six months in the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls, Congress faces a big challenge. Even though the party insists “all will be fine”, recent developments are certainly not in Congress’ favour.

Highlights of new Punjab crisis

• “To make a difference in Punjab and stand for my people was my duty,” said Navjot Sidhu in his recent statement.
• Just an hour after allocation of portfolios to Punjab cabinet ministers, Sidhu dropped his resignation bomb on Congress yesterday. He is said to be unhappy over the first expansion of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's cabinet.
• Reportedly Sidhu was upset over the non-inclusion of the MLAs of his choice in the expanded Cabinet and the appointment of new Advocate General, A.P.S. Deol. On the other hand, despite Sidhu’s firm objection, the ministry of Home Affairs was assigned to Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

His arch-rival, former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh did not miss the chance and described Sidhu as an “unstable man.”

• “I told you so...he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab," tweeted Capt. Meanwhile, he is also rumoured to be nearing a decision on his future in Congress.

• Anti-Sidhu leaders are apparently enjoying the new ‘drama’ unfolded in party unit. Where Congress leader Manish Tewari tweeted, “The immortal Kuldeep Manak once wrote & sang- Chade Mirza Khan Nu Vadi Bhabi Dindi Mat...Phat Rana Di Dosti...Khuri Jina Di Mat...Has Has Laun Yarian...Te Ro Ro Dein Chad...Mera Punjab Sada Hasda Vasda Rawe"; Amarinder Singh’s media advisor, Raveen Thukral posted, “jiski fitrat hi dansna ho wo to dasega mat socha kar… (Mehdi Hassan sahib plays on my iPhone).”
• Punjab has become Exhibit A in the party's deepening turmoil, with the top two Congress figures in the state quitting in this manner. Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is vigorously campaigning in Punjab, and Mr Kejriwal will visit the state on Wednesday. Sidhu's resignation, which came four months before the Punjab election, calls into doubt several leadership decisions.
• Just two days after taking the oath as a cabinet minister, Malerkotla MLA Razia Sultana also resigned "in solidarity with Navjot Singh Sidhu". "Sidhu Sahab is a man of principles. He is fighting for Punjab and Punjabiyat," she said.

• When Congress was mulling over Amarinder Singh's issue, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had campaigned hard for Mr Sidhu, even setting up a meeting with Rahul Gandhi, despite several warnings. Now, the Punjab crisis has hit the party hard on the day it welcomed high-profile figures like Kanhaiya Kumar and Jignesh Mevani to the party.
• “As a Punjab MP, I'm extremely distressed about happenings in Punjab. Peace in Punjab was extremely hard-won. 25,000 people, bulk of the Congress men, sacrificed themselves to bring peace back to Punjab after fighting extremism & terrorism b/w 1980-1995,” said Manish Tewari.