Punjab formula will be accepted by all, says CM

Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh said on Saturday that he will accept any decision of the Congress high command on changes in the state unit but, people aware of the situation said, he refused to meet Navjot Singh Sidhu unless the latter made a public apology for tweets and statements critical of the state government.

The developments suggest the apology may lead to a possible way for the two Punjab leaders to reach a compromise. Sidhu is tipped to take over as the head of the party’s state unit, but the elevation has been stuck over objections from Singh, who on Friday wrote a letter to the Congress central leadership warning of a split if Sidhu were to be elevated.

The state is due for elections early next year and both leaders enjoy wide support. The Congress has rushed Harish Rawat, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge to deal with the situation.

“Had a fruitful meeting with @harishrawatcmuk. Reiterating that any decision of @Incindia President will be acceptable to all. Raised certain issues which he said he’ll take up with @Incindia president: @capt_amarinder,” the chief minister’s media adviser Raveen Thukral said in tweet after Singh and Rawat met.

According to a person aware of the developments, Singh made his precondition for the apology known to Rawat when

CHANDIGARH:

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU:

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday ruled out speculation of a leadership change in the state but a senior BJP functionary said that the CM indicated in his discussions with central party leaders in Delhi this weekend that the process to find his successor should be initiated. Yediyurappa, who has been criticised by several Karnataka BJP leaders in recent weeks, met PM Modi and senior party leaders in New Delhi this week.

the latter suggested the CM and Sidhu meet.

“Capt told the state in-charge that he will not meet Sidhu till he tenders a public apology for putting out hundreds of derogatory tweets and statements in the media against him,” said one of the people aware of the matter, asking not to be named.

“One thing is very clear... Captain Amarinder Singh ji who had earlier made a ‘mahan’ (great) statement that that whatever decision will be taken by the Congress president will be honoured by him reiterated that statement today,” Rawat told reporters.

The truce formula also involves the appointment of four