Temporary truce? Behind Sidhu and Amarinder Singh’s ‘all is well’ gesture

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and newly-appointed state Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu finally made an appearance together, not once but twice, and said that all was well with the party. But in a sign that the chill was yet to thaw, Sidhu while on the stage at the Congress office, chose to ignore Amarinder while touching the feet of other senior leaders.

The function at the Congress office, where the two warring leaders sat next to each other, was preceded by a tea party at CM’s house, where the two supposedly broke the ice, sitting together and engaging in conversation.

Also Read: Amarinder Singh, Navjot Sidhu break ice over hot tea

Speaking at the function at Congress office, where Sidhu formally took over as Congress chief, the 78-year-old chief minister said, “He is a big man today but I have known him since he was six years old… we will work together for the party and the country… we have to think of the welfare of Punjab,” Singh said while Sidhu, 57, smiled.

When Sidhu got up to speak, he made a gesture of hooking a cricket ball with a bat and ignoring Singh, who was sitting next to him, walked straight to other leaders and touched their feet to seek blessings.

Also read: Why Navjot Sidhu vs Amarinder Singh may cost Congress an easy state

Earlier, Raveen Thukral, the media advisor to Amarinder Singh, tweeted photos from the tea party hosted by the CM for party MLAs and wrote: “Ahead of his swearing-in as new  @INCPunjab president, @sherryontopp meets CM @capt_amarinder during the tea hosted by the latter. Flanking the CM is @harishrawatcmuk.”

In the second tweet, Thukral wrote, “Getting ready for the installation of the new @INCPunjab team,  @sherryontopp with CM @capt_amarinder.” The photos showed the two leader, dressed in contrasting maroon and white kurtas, engrossed in conversation. The two reportedly later left for the Congress office for Sidhu to formally take over as Congress chief.

The Congress, after months of turmoil in its Punjab unit, finally named Sidhu, 57,  as the state Congress chief and also picked four working presidents. The move was meant to stem the infighting in the state unit that manifested itself in public duels between him and Amarinder Singh, 79.

Also Read: Watch: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh dances to the tune of Sikh regiments’ jawans

But Singh had made clear his unhappiness over Sidhu’s elevation and had conveyed the same to party president Sonia Gandhi. With the two leaders making a public apperanace together, the mess seems to have been sorted out for now. But, analysts say the fight is far from over. It may just have moved from social media and public platforms to shadow-boxing. That the battlelines have grown deeper can be gauged from statements and posturing by the two factions.

Going by the posturing, the Congress’s Punjab headache is far from over. With polls just a few months away, all eyes are on the two leaders to see what message is conveyed to the grassroots workers. Sidhu, a celebrity and a star orator, is not a grassroots politician. It will be interesting to note how he will keep the party together. His role as a PCC chief is crucial in the run-up to the elections.

Also Read: Why Gandhis’ Punjab push is bad news for Congress old guard

Analysts also feel that Singh, who humbled the Badals, is in a very strong position to deliver the state to the Congress. But, how Sidhu’s elevation plays out with his supporters and what kind of message the Captain conveys to them, will hold the key.