Can never compromise: Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns as Punjab Congress chief

Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as the Punjab Congress chief on Tuesday. In his letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Navjot Sidhu wrote, “The collapse of a man’s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab’s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress.” 

Navjot Sidhu’s decision has come as a major surprise for the Congress, especially the Gandhis and other members of the top leadership in Delhi. 

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Sidhu’s decision to quit as Punjab Congress chief came hours after Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi allotted cabinet portfolios to his ministers on Tuesday. 

Soon after Navjot Singh Sidhu quit as the Punjab Congress chief, former chief minister Amarinder Singh wrote on Twitter, “I told you so…he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab.”

It was a fallout between Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu that led to Amarinder Singh’s hand being forced to quit the chief minister’s position. At the time of his exit as CM, Amarinder Singh said that he was keeping his options open. 

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On Tuesday, Amarinder Singh is in Delhi. Media reports claimed that the former soldier would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the national capital. However, soon after, Amarinder Singh’s media advisor denied rumours of the Congress veteran meeting BJP leaders. 

Following Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjeet Singh Channi said, “I have full confidence in (Navjot Singh) Sidhu sahab.”

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Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation as Punjab Congress chief will make things difficult for the Congress ahead of next year’s assembly elections. Congress has battled internal strife within its ranks for the better part of this year. Political observers felt that the Amarinder Singh’s exit as Punjab chief minister and Navjot Singh Sidhu taking a more leading position would at least end the regular squabbles within the party. But that evidently was not to be. 

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While the reasons for Navjot Sidhu’s exit from the Punjab Congress chief post is still being speculated on, media reports indicate that Sidhu was unhappy with Charanjit Channi’s ministerial appointments, especially that of the CM’s relative Aruna Chaudhary and corruption-accused Rana Gurjit Singh. 

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Tuesday was made up to be a good day for the grand old party which was supposed to induct two young guns — Kanhaiya Kumar and Jignesh Mevani — within its ranks. However, the developments in Punjab have dampened spirits. Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and MP Rahul Gandhi are on their way to Delhi from the Chandigarh airport, according to ANI.