Navjot Singh Sidhu meets Sonia Gandhi amid reports of him taking charge as next Punjab Congress chief

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu is meeting party President Sonia Gandhi’s residence in Delhi today amid reports of him being appointed as the next Chief of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC).

New Delhi: Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu reached party President Sonia Gandhi’s residence in Delhi on Friday (July 16) amid reports of him being appointed as the next Chief of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC). Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat also attended the meeting with Sidhu, sources told PTI. 

"Sidhu will be appointed as the new PCC chief along with two working Presidents. Sunil Jakhar, who is currently heading Punjab Congress will be adjusted in AICC," ANI quoted sources as saying. 

Delhi | Congress general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat arrives at 10, Janpath, to meet party's interim president Sonia Gandhi. He will meet the party leader along with Navjot Singh Sidhu. pic.twitter.com/OULrsAHEoL — ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2021

Sidhu, who is at loggerheads with Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for some time now, met four ministers on Thursday and at least six MLAs at the residence of Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa in Chandigarh, PTI cited sources as saying. Those who were present in the meeting with Sidhu included ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Charanjit Singh Channi, MLAs Pargat Singh, Kulbir Zira, Barinderjit Singh Pahra and Kuljit Nagra.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has reportedly expressed resentment over Sidhu being elevated to a key position in the party. AICC general secretary Rawat, however, has denied these reports, as per PTI. 

Besides media reports stating that Sidhu is likely to be announced as the Punjab Congress chief, there are also speculations of appointing two working presidents- a Dalit and a Hindu face. "The party is working on a formula to appoint two working presidents and elections will be fought under the leadership of the Chief Minister,” IANS had quoted Harish Rawat as saying. 

The Congress party has been trying desperately to resolve the infighting that has put the party's campaign for the state Assembly election due next year in line. The grand old party had formed a three-member panel, headed by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, to resolve the differences. Both Sidhu and Amarinder had met this panel. 

Meanwhile, ahead of a likely revamp in the Punjab Congress, CM Amarinder Singh on Thursday met more than 20 party leaders, including ministers, MLAs and MPs at his farmhouse in Mohali's Siswan, sources told PTI. 

(With agency inputs)