Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns as Punjab Congress president, ‘Can never compromise on Punjab's future’
Appointed as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief earlier in July, Sidhu took up the post amid an escalating tension within the Punjab Congress.
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FollowChandigarh: Navjot Singh Sidhu has quit as Punjab Congress chief and said he will continue to serve the Congress party. Sidhu announced his decision to Twitter and posted the letter he had written to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
The letter read, "The collapse of a man's character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab's future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress."
He, however, did not explain about the "compromise" part mentioned in the letter.
Appointed as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief earlier in July, Sidhu took up the post amid an escalating tension within the Punjab Congress.
According to people familiar with the matter in the Congress, Sidhu is disappointed that he wasn't named the Chief Minister after Singh. It is learnt that he did not meet the Gandhis before taking the decision to quit the post.
Sidhu was also upset with the induction of “tainted” former minister Rana Gurjit Singh in Channi’s Cabinet, with the dropping of PPCC working president Kuljit Singh Nagra. He also opposed the Public Works department going to Vijay Inder Singla and appointment of APS Deol as Punjab AG.
A report on The Indian Express quoted a source close to Sidhu saing, “You find out who was backing APS Deol and you will know. What was the point of the whole exercise to change the government when you are getting former DGP Sumedh Saini’s lawyer as AG? This is unacceptable to Sidhu.”
The source said Sidhu had “made it very clear to the high command that he would not tolerate corruption”.
“Sidhu is disappointed with the choice of Rana Gurjit Singh as minister. The party has been on the defensive since day one over his appointment. His appointment made Amarinder look better — that he had dropped him from the Cabinet after the sand mining imbroglio and now he is back when the new government was expected to be above board. Look at the appointments in six days. What is the message that we are sending? It is like the old group is back,” the source added.
On Sunday, Sidhu had left the oath-taking ceremony without meeting anybody and ever since, he was said to be sulking at his Patiala residence, where the party had sent his aide Pargat Singh to placate him.
His resignation came hours after CM Channi allocated portfolios to ministers on Tuesday and expanded his Cabinet.
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