Punjab CM Channi tells Sidhu: Party is supreme, discuss issues face to face
Denying any ego tussle with Sidhu, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said he was prepared to do whatever needs to be done for the people of Punjab. However, he made it clear that the party was supreme.
FollowPunjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday sent out a strong message to Navjot Singh Sidhu who resigned from the post of Punjab unit president yesterday.
Briefing media persons after the Cabinet meeting earlier in the day, Channi made it clear that the party was supreme.
The chief minister said that he had spoken to Sidhu on Wednesday morning and urged him to discuss his issues before the right forum.
Also See:Â Navjot Singh Sidhu's Video Message: 'No compromise; tainted system can't return'
Denying any ego tussle with Sidhu, the chief minister said he was prepared to do whatever needs to be done for the people.
Channi, however, refused to comment on the issues raised by Sidhu with regard to the appointment of Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota as the state Director General of Police and Amar Preet Singh Deol as the state's advocate general. He merely said that he was willing to discuss the issues face to face.
Even as Channi said he has sought time from Sidhu, there were protests in support of Sidhu. The Congress, meanwhile, is walking a tight-rope. If it succumbs to pressure from Sidhu and replaced the DGP and Advocate General, the impression that will go out will be that he has now assumed the role of a "super chief minister".
Also Read:Â The real reason why Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned
Some MLAs, including Surjit Singh Dhiman, Balwinder Singh Laddi, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Fatehjang Singh Bajwa, and Nathu Ram, have arrived at Sidhu's residence and are holding talks. Also present in the meeting is Punjab Congress working president Pawan Goel.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has in a major decision waived off pending power bills of people with 2 kV and those whose meters were disconnected due to non-payment of such bills will get power back.
While the scheme will benefit around 53 lakh families in the state, the government's decision will put an additional burden of Rs 1200 crore on the state exchequer.
Also Read:Â 'Told you, not a stable man': Amarinder Singh takes dig after Sidhu quits as Punjab Congress chief
