Punjab: Navjot Singh Sidhu, the cricketer-turned-politician who has been elevated to the top post in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, by the Congress High Command will take charge of the new responsibility at the Chandigarh Congress Bhawan. Sidhu along with four other working presidents will assume charge of their responsibilities and Punjab CM Amarinder Singh is also likely to attend the installation ceremony, sources say.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Sidhu along with 60-odd lawmakers had visited the Sikhs' holiest site, displaying a show of strength as to how he won the support of Punjab Congress leaders. He had also tweeted saying that he will work on 18 points specified by the high command for Punjab. Amid all these political developments, buzz is that Navjot Singh Sidhu may be the next Chief Ministerial face from the Punjab Congress.
Read: Stalemate continues in Punjab Congress, Capt Amarinder returns without meeting party high command
Meanwhile, Sidhu overriding the objections raised by CM and his arch rival Captain Amarinder Singh, now has several issues to deal with such as sacrilege, drug menace & mining issues. Following his appointment there has been a discussion in the state's political corridors as to whether he would continue tweeting and raising questions against the Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on various issues pertaining to the state or will he remain silent. At present, the promises made to the public have not been fulfilled in the last four and a half years, after the Congress had come to power. These include sacrilege, drug mafia, punishing the culprits of sand mafia, cancellation of agreements with private power companies. Now, the big question is whether the government will take action against these issues.
With Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu training his guns against the CM for some time now, and for having been critical of Captain's leadership, his inaccessibility, and his government's inaction in the sacrilege matter, he is being touted as the next CM face. Poll strategist Prashant Kishor had already reiterated that there is a need of a CM face in Punjab in whose name votes can be sought and that face is presently Navjot Singh Sidhu. Though, Congress had demanded votes in the name of Captain Amarinder Singh, the promises made by Captain to the people of the state have remained unfulfilled, so it is difficult for the party to seek votes again in his name.
Read: How 'PCC President' Sidhu will deal over sacrilege, drug menace & mining issues?
Also, Sidhu being a star campaigner, the Congress wants to take complete advantage of him in the upcoming UP elections and for this he also needs to be powerful in Punjab. Also in the last four and a half years, it has been alleged that Captain Amarinder Singh did not meet any of his MLAs and the latter had given the feedback to the high command on the same. However, Navjot Singh Sidhu is taking all the MLAs and Congressmen with him. Hence, it is being touted that Navjot Singh Sidhu could be the next potential Chief Ministerial face of Punjab Congress.
