Punjab Crisis: Congress high command rejects Sidhu's resignation

Tuesday continues to be a troublesome day for Congress party in Punjab. Congress leadership is trying to end the crisis that started with Navjot Singh Siddhu's resignation.

New Delhi: The day-long drama in Punjab politics on Tuesday got its grand finale with the Congress high command rejecting Navjot Singh Sindhu's resignation from the Congress Punjab Pradesh President. According to reports, the Congress leadership is trying to solve the crisis that started with Sidhu's announcement of his resignation on Twitter.

As Tuesday continues to be a troublesome day for the Congress party, six leaders submitted their resignations on Tuesday. The last resignation was from Punjab Congress General Secretary Gautam Seth. Earlier, Congress General Secretary Yoginder Dhindsa, cabinet ministers Pargat Singh and Razia Sultana, as well as PPCC treasurer Gulzar Inder Chahal had tendered their resignations. The resignations happened at a time as the Punjab Congress was reeling under a crisis arose from a sudden shift in leadership due to Captain Amarinder Singh's resignation.

Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh has stepped up his attack on Sidhu by releasing a tweet through his media advisor Raveen Thukral.

The day started with Navjot Singh Sidhu who announced his resignation from the role of the Punjab Congress chief, via Twitter. Sidhu made the announcement through Twitter, where he posted his resignation letter to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi.

It is learned that Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi might visit Navjot Singh Sidhu in Patiala, where several leaders of the Punjab Congress were congregating at Sidhu's residence. "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," Sidhu said in his letter.

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"He is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab," Singh said in his tweet. Sidhu, who was named the Punjab Congress chief to settle the crisis in the Punjab Congress after months of internal strife, had been at loggerheads with Amarinder Singh for a long time."I told you so," was the reaction from Amarinder Singh over the decision. Singh was vehemently against the appointment of Sidhu as the CM of Punjab.

Reacting to the news of Sidhu's resignation, Akali Dal's National Spokesman, Manjinder Singh Sirsa called Sidhu an "Unguided Missile" that can explode anywhere and anytime.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj accused Sidhu of being against Dalits. "This shows that Navjot Singh Sidhu is against Dalits. One poor son was made the chief minister... this, Sidhu could not bear. It is very sad," Bhardwaj told reporters.

While speaking to ETV Bharat, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil said, "His letter has proven that Congress leaders are not hungry for positions. He will continue to work for the welfare of his party."

Gohil also reacted to Captain Amarinder Singh's tweet and said, "This is the internal democracy in our party. No one can do this in BJP. However, there is a thin line between internal democracy and indiscipline."

Earlier in the day, Captain Amarinder Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, giving rise to speculation of him joining the saffron party. Then around mid-day, Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from his position, citing his stance on corruption.

These two developments left the crowd of Congress workers confused waiting in the party's headquarters to welcome Kanhaiya Kumar and Jignesh Mevani. The workers are terming this decision as Sidhu's personal decision. Congress National General Secretary and Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also did not comment on the matter and added that he will answer all questions by holding a press conference.