Sidhu: Journey has just begun
He thanked Gandhis for ‘pivotal responsibility’
CAPTAIN AMARINDER SINGH has already said that he will only meet Sidhu once he deletes all his offensive tweets against him and the state government.
Even after the Congress high command ruled in favour of disgruntled legislator Navjot Singh Sidhu by appointing him the Punjab Congress Chief, the trouble in the Punjab Congress is far from over.
Both Captain Amarinder Singh and Sidhu separately showed their strength in Chandigarh.
Simultaneous meetings were held — one at the residence of the Chief Minister while the other was held by Sidhu at the residence of a cabinet minister.
Media advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Raveen Thukral took to Twitter to post a picture of the CM while in discussion with his ministers with regards to Patiala development works.
Sidhu who was named new Punjab Congress chief despite Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s objections, posted tweets thanking the Gandhis for the “pivotal responsibility” and said his “journey has just begun”.
“Will work along every member of Congress family in Punjab to fulfil the mission of ‘JittegaPunjab’ as a humble Congress worker to give power of the people back to the people through the Punjab model and the high command’s 18-point agenda ... My journey has just begun,” Sidhu said in tweet.
In his first reaction to the late night announcement that followed days of turmoil and uncertainty, Sidhu also appeared to take a swipe at Captain Amarinder Singh as he talked about his father, a Congress worker, “leaving a royal household” to join the freedom struggle.
He also shared a picture of his father with India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
“To share prosperity, privilege and freedom not just among a few but among all, My father a Congress worker left a royal household and joined the freedom struggle, was sentenced to death for his patriotic work reprieved by the King’s Amnesty became DCC President, MLA, MLC and advocate general,” Sidhu added in a Twitter post.
Captain Amarinder Singh has already said that he will only meet Sidhu once he deletes all his offensive tweets against him and the state government.
The Chief Minister also demanded an apology from Sidhu for all statements made against his government to the media.
The Punjab Chief Minister was earlier scheduled to hold a lunch meeting on Wednesday with his supporting MPs and MLAs but now the meeting has been deferred, informed his office.
In the new scheme of things apart from being the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh still holds the charge of the election campaign committee, while Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Singh Bajwa will be responsible for drafting the election manifesto.
An eerie silence prevails in the Punjab Congress where people are waiting for Captain Amarinder Singh to give direction as to what will his future course of action be in the state.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday expressed hope that newly appointed Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu would take everyone along and carry forward the party’s traditions and policies.
Congratulating Sidhu on his appointment, Gehlot said that it has been the tradition in the Congress that before a decision is taken, everyone is consulted and everyone gets a chance to express their views.
“Once the party high command takes a decision while keeping everyone’s opinion in mind, thereafter all Congress members follow the tradition of uniting and accepting it. This is the biggest strength of Congress even today,” Gehlot said.