Bassi takes charge of AIT, ‘setback’ for Sidhu

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 13

The rift between Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and his Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu is set to deepen further as another Congress leader from the latter’s Amritsar (East) constituency Dinesh Bassi today took charge as Chairman of Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT).

Bassi is now seen as parallel power centre or alternative to Sidhu in the Assembly segment. The move is seen to corner and weaken the clout of Sidhu who was elected from the Amritsar (East) Assembly constituency over two years ago.

Residents of the Amritsar (East) Assembly segment will no longer need to wait for Sidhu as they could approach Bassi for the same. In case, the tug-of-war between the Chief Minister and Sidhu intensifies and the latter resigns, Bassi could be fielded as his replacement.

A galaxy of state Congress leaders descending to take part in taking-over ceremony of the chairman of the Trust sent a strong message to Sidhu.

As many as five Cabinet ministers, Brahm Mohindra, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Sukhbinder Singh Sukh Sarkaria, OP Soni and Bharat Bhushan Ashu, besides other senior Congress leaders from the Majha area arrived to greet him.

Already all congratulating hoardings greeting Bassi over his elevation did not have Navjot Singh Sidhu’s photographs.

During his political career, Bassi had been a councillor and former president of the District Young Congress.