Amid the political battle between state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, the AICC Punjab in charge Harish Rawat met party leader Rahul Gandhi at the latter's residence in Delhi today.
Yesterday, Mr Rawat had met with Sonia Gandhi to enlighten her on current issues in the Punjab Congress, particularly newly appointed Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Sindhu's views and those of his aides.
Rawat after meeting Rahul Gandhi, said, “In Congress, whatever the party’s top leadership decides, that’s the final decision”.
When questioned whether he’ll continue serving as Punjab’s incharge, Rawat replied that he will continue as long as they ask me to.
He further said that he will go to Punjab in a day or two and would meet CM Captain Amarinder Singh and PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
He also said that his today’s meeting with Rahul Gandhi was a shot one and he just briefed him about whatever the situation is in Punjab and nothing more than this.
Meanwhile, Sidhu targeting the Gandhis on Friday, said, “I cannot be a dummy chief who is not allowed to take decisions”.
Sidhu had stated that if the high command allows him to act according to his own method of “hope and faith”, he will make sure that the Congress party rules Punjab for the coming 20 years. "But if they don't then I'll not spare anyone (eent se eent baja dunga)," said Sidhu in an event in Amritsar.
On Sidhu’s statement of 'lack of freedom in decision making', Rawat stated: “I can't question him based on media speculation... I will see the context of the statement. He is the party chief, who other than he can take decisions?”
He also added that “Congress' stand is very clear that we will not accept any statement that is against the interests of the nation”.
Sidhu’s statement came as his advisor Malvinder Singh Mali stepped down from his role owing to controversial remarks on Kashmir and personal attacks against Capt Amarinder.
Also Read: MP Manish Tewari questions party’s silence on Sidhu’s ‘eent se eent baja denge’ remarks
Meanwhile, after meeting with Rahul Gandhi, Rawat hinted he would play a major role in the 2022 Uttarakhand Assembly elections. “I’ll carry out whatever responsibility the party High Command gives me,” said Rawat.
In his meeting with Sonia Gandhi yesterday, Rawat also requested to be relieved from the role of the party’s chief whip in Punjab. Reportedly, Rawat is frustrated by long infighting in Punjab Congress and wants to focus entirely on Uttarakhand polls.