Rawat, Capt in huddle over Sidhu

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 14

Days after Congress president Sonia Gandhi met former Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab affairs in charge Harish Rawat met Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to discuss rehabilitation of the cricketer -turned-politician, it is learnt.

Punjab in charge keen on Dy CM’s post for him

• Punjab affairs in charge of Congress Harish Rawat had met CM Capt Amarinder Singh over dinner on Friday
• Rawat, who specially flew in by chopper, is learnt to have conveyed Sonia Gandhi’s message regarding rehabilitation of Sidhu to the Chief Minister
• Rawat has been batting for Sidhu and is learnt to be keen on the Deputy CM’s post for him

Rawat, along with AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, was present when Sidhu had met the party president.

At the dinner meeting that took place on Friday between the Chief Minister and Rawat, the latter is learnt to have conveyed Sonia’s message regarding rehabilitation of Sidhu. Rawat specially flew in by chopper to meet the Chief Minister.

The party leadership is learnt to have offered him a state Cabinet berth or even a bigger role at the Centre.

While the Chief Minister is learnt to have offered him a spot in the state Cabinet, Sidhu was reportedly interested in the post of the PPCC president. Rawat, who has been batting for Sidhu, is learnt to be keen on the Deputy CM’s post for Sidhu.

Sources said balancing out the Hindu, Dalit and Jat leadership in event of a Cabinet reshuffle or replacing the PPCC president was a matter of concern for the party leadership.

“With the Congress completing four years at the helm in March 2021 and the state assembly elections due early next year, clarity should emerge on Sidhu by March-end. Otherwise, it would be too late,” said a senior party leader.