Punjab Congress infighting: Amarinder Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu meet party MLAs for next plan of action

Chandigarh, July 15: Ahead of a likely revamp in the Punjab Congress, a hectic political activity was at play here with CM Amarinder Singh and former state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu meeting party legislators.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met more than 20 party leaders, including ministers, MLAs and MPs at his farmhouse in Mohali's Siswan, sources said.

Sidhu, who may be declared the state party chief, met four ministers and at least six MLAs at the residence of Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa here, they said.

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.

What transpired in the meeting, which lasted for two hours, could not be ascertained. Some of those present there had recently raised the issue of unfulfilled poll promises, including the 2015 desecration cases and the drug menace.

Meanwhile, the CM met ministers, including Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Aruna Chaudhary, Sunder Shyam Arora, besides some MLAs and MPs at his residence.

The development assumes significance amid reports of likely revamp of the Punjab Congress unit and cabinet reshuffle.

There are also media reports that Sidhu is likely to be announced as the Punjab Congress chief by the party high command. There is also talk of appointing two working presidents-a Dalit and a Hindu face.

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has been at loggerheads with Amarinder Singh as he had attacked him over the alleged delay in justice in the 2015 desecration cases.

The Congress leadership is working out a formula for Amarinder and Sidhu to work together.

The Congress had set up a three-member panel, headed by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, to resolve the infighting in the Punjab Congress.

Both Sidhu and Amarinder had met the three-member AICC panel.

The CM had then said any decision taken by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi would be acceptable to him and the party.