Despite peace formula, Capt Amarinder Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu not on same page

Chandigarh, August 8

Despite the party high command’s peace formula, Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and PPCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu don’t appear to be on the same page. While the CM and the PPCC chief have made public statements about working as a team, Sidhu’s stand on Punjab issues and the action on ground by the government don’t match.

Party leaders point out that while the CM was not directly countering Sidhu’s statements, the PPCC chief had been raising the pitch on key issues such as arresting the ‘big fish’ in drug trafficking, punishment for perpetrators of sacrilege and police firing cases, annulling the power purchase agreements (PPAs) and rejecting the Central farm laws in the upcoming session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. On the contrary, the Advocate General (AG), in his report, has pointed out that it was legally not tenable to annul the PPAs. The government has also said the matter regarding the STF report on the involvement of ‘big fish’in drug trafficking was submitted to the court.

The PPCC chief, at a recent rally in Moga, had announced to give power at Rs 3 per unit and wipe out mafias having links with Akalis and some Congress leaders. Leaders say while announcing the power at unrealistic Rs 3 per unit, Sidhu has not taken the government on board. “When Sidhu speaks against the mafia, he should look at leaders who share stage with him,” said a leader close to the CM. —TNS