Chandigarh, March 15
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has invited his former Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu for a luncheon meeting on March 17, indicating him being assigned a crucial role in the party ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.
After Sidhu resigned from the Cabinet in 2019, this would be the second luncheon meeting between the two leaders, first being on held on November 25 last year.
With the Congress government led by Capt Amarinder completing four years in office tomorrow, the CM is expected to clear the air on Sidhu’s role in the government in the coming days ahead of the leaders leaving for campaigning in West Bengal.
The luncheon meeting is being held in the backdrop of Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Rawat pushing for Sidhu’s return into the mainstream politics. Rawat, who met Sidhu last week after meeting the Chief Minister, has been playing a crucial role in burying the hatchet between the two leaders and accord Sidhu the position as per his potential and status. Rawat is expected to meet the Chief Minister once again.
Capt Amarinder is learnt to have already offered Sidhu the portfolio of his choice, be it Local Government, Housing or Power. Sources said Sidhu’s regular attendance in the Vidhan Sabha during the recently held Budget session and taking on the Akalis and the Centre indicated his return.
