Capt-sidhu spat: Jakhar takes no side

CHANDIGARH : Amid escalating war of words between chief minister Amarinder Singh and cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar on Monday chose not to take any side.

Jakhar, whom Amarinder named as “future CM” to boost the former’s prospects against actor Sunny Deol in high-stakes Gurdaspur seat, tried to do a balancing act by saying both the leaders have done their bit to strengthen the hand of Congress president Rahul Gandhi during the Lok Sabha polls.

“Amarinder held the fort in Punjab while Sidhu campaigned across the length and breadth of the country. Right now, it is important to put up a united front against the BJP and its nefarious designs. Both CM and Sidhu are senior politicians and can resolve their differences amicably within the party forum,” Jakhar said.

A senior leader privy to the developments said Jakhar’s line reflects that of the party high command. The Gurdaspur MP, who enjoys confidence of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, too has been voicing anger of party MLAS and workers by demanding strong action against the Badals on the sacrilege issue. He has also expressed his concern over “Akalis calling the shots in government” on several occasions.

“Congress MLAS and workers openly complain that writ of Akalis still runs in Punjab. Rahul is aware of this sentiment. When Rahul declared at his Bargari rally to bring the culprits of sacrilege incidents to justice, it had a message for the CM too. The timing of Sidhu’s outburst can be questioned but not his intentions,” a senior leader said, requesting anonymity.

Soon after Amarinder targeted Sidhu for ‘ nursing chief ministerial ambition’ on Sunday, four ministers swiftly endorsed the Captain line and demanded disciplinary action against Sidhu.

While Rahul and his sister and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had kept Sidhu in the top league, making him campaign in family bastions of Rae Bareli and Amethi, the minister felt slighted by Captain and Punjab affairs in-charge Asha Kumari over “no invite” for campaigning in home state. Asha had ruffled his feathers further by saying only Captain was in demand in Punjab, not Sidhu.

Finally, Priyanka brought Sidhu to campaign in Punjab along with her, four days before the May 19 polling.

Sidhu refused to comment on Captain’s jibes.

SAYS BOTH CM AND SIDHU DID THEIR BIT TO BOLSTER RAHUL’S HAND, AND THEY CAN RESOLVE ISSUES AMICABLY Amarinder held the fort in Punjab while Sidhu campaigned across the country. Now, it is important to put up a united front against the BJP and its nefarious designs

SUNIL JAKHAR, Punjab Cong chief