Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu refused to address a campaign rally of party leader Priyanka Gandhi in Punjab. This has fuelled speculation about internal conflict in the state unit.
In a video that is now widely circulated on social media, Sidhu is seen repeatedly refusing to address the public meeting at Rajomajra in Dhuri Assembly constituency.
Also read: CM Pramod Sawant ‘fully confident’ of BJP win in Goa assembly election 2022
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was campaigning for Balvir Singh Goldy, who is contesting the election from Dhuri Assembly seat against AAP candidate Bhagwant Mann.
Besides Sidhu, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, and Congress veteran Sunil Jakhar were among those who accompanied Priyanka Gandhi to the rally.
The video shows Sidhu, who was sitting next to Channi, refusing to speak through hand gestures and pointing towards Channi, indicating that he will be the next speaker.
Punjab is set to hold elections in a single phase on February 20 and the counting of votes will be held on March 10.
Also read: Assembly Elections 2022: Election Commission allows padayatras, relaxes poll campaign norms
Earlier, Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi announced Channi as his party’s chief ministerial face for the Punjab Assembly polls. In his address, Gandhi has said that the people of Punjab needed a CM who is “from a ‘gareeb ghar’ (humble family), who understands poverty and hunger”.
Following the announcement, Sidhu, who was one of the top two contenders for the post, welcomed the decision and said that no one has any issue with the decision.
Also read: Saharanpur: Defection-weary hotspot of UP politics goes to polls
Sidhu also dispelled the rumours of infighting within the party’s ranks. However, his family members have expressed dismay over the decision, with his daughter Rabia Kaur saying that “an honest person can’t be stopped for long.”
