Punjab tussle

Dissension in the Congress’s Punjab unit erupted in May but the leadership hoped the appointment of Sidhu as party unit chief and the removal of his arch-rival Singh as CM would tamp down tensions.

But Sidhu’s resignation barely 72 days after being appointed took the party by surprise, and embarrassed Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who together orchestrated Sidhu’s appointment and Singh’s exit as part of an effort to end factionalism and improve the party’s chances in next year’s state elections.

The move exposed new fault lines in the party. On Wednesday, Sidhu appeared to rebuff the Congress’s overtures and questioned key appointments made by chief minister Channi.

“To fight for justice of ‘Guru Sahib’ and to improve the lives of people of Punjab and for the means, I will make any sacrifice but will always stand by princithe ples,” Sidhu said, despite a series of senior leaders, including Channi, trying to convince him to take back the resignation.

Senior leaders said differences between Sidhu and his one-time close associate Channi sprang up over picking minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who the former cricketer sees as a rival for the CM’s post, and controversial appointments to the positions of state advocate general and director general of police.

Channi signalled that the party continued to talk to Sidhu. “I called him (Sidhu) and told him that the party is supreme... I have spoken to him on phone and told him to let’s sit, talk it out and resolve the issue,” the CM told reporters in Chandigarh.