Sidhu’s one-line resignation accepted

Rajmeet Singh 

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, July 20

Navjot Singh Sidhu is formally out of the Punjab Cabinet. On Saturday, his one-line resignation letter was accepted by Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and Governor VP Singh Badnore. The Chief Minister said he would keep the power portfolio, that was allotted to Sidhu, for the time being. Already, there is speculation if he will pick another face in the Cabinet in place of Sidhu. 

Sidhu, who resigned five days ago, giving no reasons for his decision, today left for Delhi and is expected to meet AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Within the party, there is talk that he could be given a role in the Congress Working Committee. 

Sidhu had on June 10 submitted a dossier to Rahul Gandhi, rebutting the Chief Minister’s “non-performer” charge as Local Bodies Minister. Priyanka Gandhi and senior party leader Ahmed Patel were there too. The tension between Captain and Sidhu had been brewing since the Lok Sabha elections, especially after Sidhu’s “friendly-match” jibe at the CM at a rally in Bathinda. Post poll results, Captain blamed Sidhu for Congress’ poor performance in the urban areas, saying his “inept handling” of the Local Bodies Department had antagonised the city voter.

Sidhu insisted he had been a “performer throughout.” Thereafter, he tweeted he would formally send his resignation letter to the CM. He did so on CM’s official residence on a day when he was in Delhi.

The Chief Ministers’ Office said that the CM, indisposed for the past two days after his return from Delhi, had accepted Sidhu’s resignation. With Sidhu refusing to take over his new portfolio, the Chief Minister had himself been monitoring the power situation during the ongoing paddy season amid an unprecedented rise in the power demand, sources said.

 Sidhu had been demanding the Local Government portfolio back, saying he had been “singled out” after the CM in a reshuffle on June 6 allotted him Power and New and Renewable Energy. 

Indiscipline won’t be allowed, warns CM 

Warning against indiscipline, CM Capt Amarinder Singh has said anyone unhappy with Harpreet Sidhu’s re-posting as STF chief was welcome to leave Punjab and seek deputation with Central Government. He was responding to reports indicating resentment over Sidhu’s reappointment.