Navjot Singh Sidhu, Charanjit Singh Channi not on same page

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5

The Punjab Congress seems to be in disarray. Even as uncertainty prevails over the resignation tendered by PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the cricketer-turned-politician are not on the same page, as is evident from lack of coordination between the two over political events in the past few days.

Two power centres, leaders confused

Sidhu and Channi are appearing like two power centres, each acting their own way. This is leaving party leaders confused as elections are round the corner. Senior cong leader

Take back resignation: Top brass to Sidhu

In a clear message, party’s top brass is learnt to have asked Navjot Singh Sidhu to fall in line and not embarrass his own government led by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. The PCC president has been asked to withdraw his resignation or the party leadership will take a call.

PCC chief plans march to UP on Oct 7

A day after Deputy CM Sukhjinder Randhawa along with six MLAs was detained at Saharanpur, UP, on way to Lakhimpur Kehri, PCC chief Navjot Sidhu on Tuesday announced a Congress march to the site of violence on October 7.

Yesterday, Sidhu along with some legislators went to Punjab Raj Bhavan to lodge a protest over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident. In the evening, CM Channi along with his Cabinet colleagues handed over a memorandum to Governor Banwarilal Purohit over the same issue.

Today, CM Channi along with some of his ministers and MLAs went to the Gandhi Smarak Bhawan here, as a mark protest over the UP violence. Sidhu was conspicuous by his absence, though, sources said, he was in Chandigarh. “Instead of the CM, the party president along with MLAs should have been present there,” said a party legislator at the event.

Party leaders point out the very issue of two power centres that had emerged after Sidhu’s elevation as PCC chief and lack of coordination with former CM Capt Amarinder Singh, before the latter resigned, stares the party high command in the face again.

Talking to told mediapersons a few days ago, Channi in reply to Sidhu’s demand for replacing the DGP and Advocate General, had said: “We should work in coordination and, if any issues remain, these could be resolved at the party platform,” as he dismissed reports of party’s image being dented after Sidhu tendered his resignation as the PCC chief.

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