CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu will meet senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi on Tuesday. Sidhu’s office confirmed the meeting.
The Gandhis are expected to discuss with Sidhu the emerging scenario in Punjab in the run-up to the 2022 Assembly elections. Sources did not rule out discussions regarding the role to be assigned to Sidhu to end factionalism within the Punjab Congress. The biggest challenge before the leadership is to bring Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Sidhu on the same page.
The high command has already asked the CM to deliver on 18 promises made by the Congress in its 2017 poll manifesto. Reports suggest that given the CM camp’s opposition to Sidhu being elevated as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president, the leadership will have to take some tough decisions. “It all depends on whether the high command opts for minor changes or a major overhaul of the PPCC,” a senior leader observed. The Chief Minister during his last meeting with the AICC panel is learnt to have put forth two proposals to placate Sidhu. Sources said the party leadership may summon the CM again before taking the final decision.
The panel, led by Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge, had earlier proposed suitable rehabilitation of Sidhu while continuing with CM Amarinder Singh at the helm, with greater accountability of governance structures in the state.