Navjot Singh Sidhu was appointed as the president of the Congress unit in Punjab. The appointment came in the late hours of Sunday. The general secretary of AICC (All India Congress Committee), KC Venugopal, appointed Sidhu as the new President of Congress in Punjab.
Amidst the infighting within the regional unit of INC, this decision comes as a shock to many. Most importantly, talking about the chief minister of Punjab who was opposing it. In addition to it, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi declared four working presidents also. Sangat Singh Gilzian, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Pawan Goel and Kuljit Singh Nagra are the four working presidents for INC in Punjab.
Navjot Singh Sidhu: A Rising Face in Punjab Politics
Reportedly, Sidhu met the Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on June 30. The cricketer-turned-politician also posted a photograph on social media. According to sources, he had a four-hour-long meeting with the general secretary. After the new announcement, it conveys that the meeting indeed had political significance.
Navjot Singh Sidhu has a dynamic career through and through. From playing for the Indian national cricket team to being a talk show judge, his career arc is full of diversities. His oratory skills benefited BJP for 13 years until he joined Congress.
However, the chief minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, is at a war of words with Sidhu. Given the chief minister’s reluctance, the party still gave Sidhu a prominent position. Amarinder clarified to the panel that he will not accept Sidhu as the president of INC in Punjab or as deputy chief minister. “My doors are closed for him,” says Amarinder Singh.
Among the criticism, some have also welcomed the move. Congress MP, Shashi Tharoor tweeted, ‘Congratulations to Navjot Singh Sidhu @sherryontopp on his appointment as President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. An important state party organisation must move forward under a dynamic leader, in the service of inclusive and progressive values.’
Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted, “Today, to work further for the same dream & strengthen the invincible fort of @INCIndia, Punjab. I am grateful to Hon’ble Congress President Sonia Gandhi Ji, Shri@RahulGandhi Ji & Smt @priyankagandhi Ji for bestowing their faith in me & giving me this pivotal responsibility”.
Whether the decision will bring stability or not, it shall be clear after some months. With the entry of AAP in Punjab, the political battleground is going to be tense.