Troubleshooter Harish Rawat to arrive in Punjab to end Congress crisis

Punjab Congress In-Charge Harish Rawat is coming to Chandigarh to resolve the ongoing crisis. The meeting between Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi lasted for more than two hours, but no solution was arrived at. Prompting, high command to depute the party in-charge for Punjab to mediate between two leaders.

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress In-Charge Harish Rawat is coming to Chandigarh to resolve the ongoing crisis. The meeting between Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi lasted for more than two hours, but no solution was arrived yet. Prompting, party high command to depute the party in-charge for Punjab to mediate between two leaders.

In a significant development, Chief Minister Channi left without talking to the media after the meeting got over on Thursday evening. On the other hand, Harish Rawat, In-Charge of Punjab affairs has said it would take five to seven days to resolve the issue.

The resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu has not ended the controversy that started in the Punjab Congress. Following CM Channi's invitation, Navjot Singh Sidhu held a discussion with him at Punjab Bhawan. After a two-hour-long meeting, some MLAs believe that Sidhu has been persuaded but Punjab Congress In-Charge Harish Rawat issued a new statement saying it would take a week to resolve the crisis.

Rawat in a statement said that he had thought that the issue of Punjab would be resolved with the formation of the new cabinet but now he says it would take another week to resolve it and he is coming to Chandigarh for the same. It is learnt that Channi has given an offer to Sidhu and it is now up to Sidhu to accept it or not. Meanwhile, sources said that a committee will be formed to coordinate between govt and the party.

Meanwhile, as the meeting with CM and the party's state president was over, the former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh landed at Chandigarh airport. Mohammad Sadique, Member Parliament from Faridkot also accompanied former Punjab CM. While talking to the media, Captain reiterated his stand that he is going to quit Congress.

He again lashed out at Navjot Sidhu and said that he is not a fit for the Punjab Congress. He also said party president should not interfere in the working of the Chief Minister. Captain added that it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister to appoint officers and the party president can only liaise with CM, but cannot poke his nose.