‘CM, Sidhu will have a working arrangement’

{ INTERVIEW } HARISH RAWAT, CONGRESS PUNJAB UNIT IN-CHARGE

NEW DELHI: Over the last month, the Congress has been trying to tackle a leadership crisis in Punjab as chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh faces a rebellion from some sections within his party led by cricketer turned politician Navjot Sidhu. Sunetra Choudhury spoke to Harish Rawat, general secretary in charge of the state and one of the members of the panel appointed to sort out the crisis, on the way forward. Edited excerpts:

We recently heard Navjot Sidhu’s angry words against the chief minister. How are you all dealing with this?

Sidhu ji has spoken on issues and the chief minister, and we are also addressing the same issues. They have spoken about “darbari” issues, drug menace and transport mafia; CM is also trying to address these issues. It is not a matter of any differences; it is just a matter of certain issues, which he feels should be addressed early.

So, is Sidhu being made the deputy CM or head of the state Congress?

It is for the Congress president to decide...

Why is it that Rahul and Priyanka met Sidhu but didn’t meet the CM?

The CM came to meet the committee, and there was no programme to meet the Congress

president or the others... As far as Sidhu ji is concerned, he came to Priyanka ji’s house to talk about certain issues... and gave his suggestion...

But will you manage to have both CM and Sidhu on board?

In politics, we always talk about a working arrangement. There will be a working arrangement here, too, between Sidhu and Captain Amarinder.

Don’t you think it’s bad for the party that it’s gone from a good shot at victory to factionalism?

In cases where a party has a good chance of victory, there are always these pressures... I don’t think this will hamper the prospect of the party winning elections. It will be resolved soon.

Finally, what’s happening in your state Uttarakhand?

I think the BJP may be contemplating changing the CM. As per the provisions of the people’s representative act, it is not possible for anyone to hold an election within a year of elections being due... So there are only three options before the BJP -- changing the CM, Goveror nor’s Rule, early resoluof tion the house. All three will be the deep embarrassment for the party ruling the country.