New Delhi, Cricketer-turned-politician and former Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday met Congress president Sonia Gandhi at her official residence here.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs, Harish Rawat’s assertion that party is working out a formula to accommodate both Mr Sidhu and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Mr Rawat, who was also present in the meeting, while speaking to mediapersons outside Ms Gandhi’s residence, refuted the speculations that Mr Sidhu has been made the new chief of Punjab Congress Committee and Captain Amarinder is unhappy with the decision.
“Who says this? I had come here to submit the report on Punjab affairs. If any decision is taken, I will be the first to inform you[media],”Mr Rawat said.
Mr Sidhu, however, avoided the media, after he left Ms Gandhi’s residence.
Both Mr Sidhu and Capt Amarinder, as per sources, had met their loyalist in Chandigarh after the news of the former being appointed as the new PCC started doing the rounds.
The party has been trying to defuse tensions between Capt Amarinder and Mr Sidhu with high command meeting both leaders separately several times.
Mr Sidhu has questioned Capt Amarinder’s style of working and hold him guilty of not solving the sacrilege case. On the other hand, Capt Amarinder has accused Mr Sidhu of not adhering to party lines.
The tensions between the two leaders escalated when Capt Amarinder took local bodies’ portfolios from Mr Sindhu.
Mr Rawat has stated that upcoming Assembly polls will be contested under the leadership of Capt Amarinder.
(Agencies)
