New Delhi, July 17
The revamped Punjab Congress Committee is all set for announcement any time now with the last hurdle — Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s resistance — finally cleared.
AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab Harish Rawat on Saturday thanked the CM for reposing trust in party chief Sonia Gandhi and reiterating his previous stand that her decision about Punjab Congress chief would be acceptable to him.
“Thank you for your great statement,” Rawat said upon his return to Delhi after a meeting with the CM, who termed the engagement fruitful and is learnt to have told Rawat that appointment of state chief was Congress president’s prerogative and he would accept her decision.
This clears the way for MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu’s appointment as party president.
The CM, however, conveyed to Rawat his deep displeasure “at the way Sidhu’s reported elevation was handled through media leaks without taking him into confidence”.
Sources also said the CM sought Sidhu’s apology for “150 odd derogatory tweets targeted at him”. “The CM conveyed to Harish Rawat that he won’t meet Sidhu until he apologised publicly for mounting personal derogatory tweets directed at the CM.”
The turn of events spell a resolution of state unity affairs but also signal unease between the CM and Sidhu.
AICC sources added that the CM will have a say in the choice of working presidents and in the Cabinet reshuffle which was also discussed today.
CMO spokesperson Raveen Thukral tweeted after the meeting with Rawat that the CM had a fruitful meeting with the state general Secretary.
”Had a fruitful meeting with @harishrawatcmuk. Reiterated that any decision of @INCIndia Presìdent will be acceptable to all. Raised certain issues which he said he’ll take up with @INCIndia president,” Thukral said quoting the CM.
Rawat said upon returning to Delhi that all talks regarding Punjab (reference the angry letter CM wrote to Sonia Gandhi) were baseless.
“The CM repeated that Sonia ji’s decision regarding PCC president would be acceptable to him,” said Rawat as the long standing imbroglio appeared to near a resolution finally.
It remains to be seen as to how Sonia forges unity between the two warring leaders at the very top, now that the CM has set conditions of a public apology to meet Sidhu.
