Punjab Congress Crisis Ends? Navjot Sidhu To Remain State Party President, Announces Harish Rawat

Earlier in the day, Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived at the AICC office, to discuss organisational matters pertaining to Punjab Congress.

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New Delhi: Navjot Singh Sidhu will remain Punjab Congress President and set up organisational structure, Punjab affairs in charge Harish Rawat said on Thursday.

“Navjot Sidhu has clearly stated that the decision of the Congress President will be acceptable to him. The instructions are clear that Navjot Sidhu should work as Punjab Congress President and set up organisational structure. An announcement will be made tomorrow,” he said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Navjot Sidhu has clearly stated that decision of the Congress President will be acceptable to him. The instructions are clear that Navjot Sidhu should work as Punjab Congress President & set up organisational structure. An announcement will be made tomorrow: Harish Rawat,Congress pic.twitter.com/HQWKiEIOKI

— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2021

Sharing similar sentiments, Navjot Singh Sidhu said: “I expressed my concerns regarding Punjab and Punjab Congress to party high command. I have full faith in Congress president (Sonia Gandhi), Priyanka Ji, and  Rahul Ji. Whatever decision they take, it will be for the betterment of Congress and Punjab. I'll follow their directions”.

Earlier in the day, Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived at the AICC office, to discuss organisational matters pertaining to Punjab Congress.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) in charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat had assured that a solution will emerge soon, adding that certain things take time to get resolved.

“Navjot Singh Sidhu and Charanjit Channi have spoken on some issues, a solution will emerge... there are some things that take time,” Rawat said, as quoted by ANI. 

His remarks came while speaking to the media after holding a meeting with Navjot Sidhu and party general secretary KC Venugopal.

Sidhu had tendered his resignation as Punjab Congress chief on September 28. But his resignation was not accepted by the party.

Sidhu, after his resignation, had said that he will always stand by party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. However, his resignation from the post of state party chief intensified the crisis in Punjab Congress as a minister and three Congress leaders, considered to be close to him, stepped down from their posts.

This had come as an unexpected blow to Congress that was hoping to resolve the turmoil in the Punjab unit after settling the leadership issue caused by the feud between Sidhu and Amarinder Singh.

Sidhu was made Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief by the party leadership in July amid infighting in Punjab Congress. The feud only intensified leading to Captain Amarinder Singh stepping down from the post of Punjab Chief Minister. Following this, Charanjeet Singh Channi took oath as the 16th Chief Minister of Punjab on September 20.

 Now, as per Harish Rawat’s statement, an official announcement regarding Navjot Singh Sidhu continuing as Punjab Congress President will be made on Friday.

(With Agency Inputs)