I accept the party's decision: Amarinder softened after meeting Rawat

Possibility of believing the offended captain

Speculation is rife that Sidhu's name as Punjab Congress president will be announced soon

Chandigarh: Amid ongoing internal tensions in the Punjab Congress, Harish Rawat, in-charge of the region, reached Chandigarh. Here he met the annoyed Chief Minister Amarinder at his home. After a meeting with the captain, Harish Rawat said that Amarinder would consider the decision taken by the Congress president.

Thus, Amarinder's attitude changed after his meeting with Rawat. Sidhu's name as party president is expected to be announced shortly. Harish Rawat said that he had some questions and I came to answer them. But it was clear that the statement made by Capt. Amarinder Singh that whatever decision the Congress President would take would be honorable to me.

Even today he has reiterated that statement. Rawat reached Chandigarh by helicopter at 12 noon and went straight to Captain Amarinder's house. A day before Rawat's visit, Amarinder Singh had protested against the appointment of party chief Sonia Gandhi to Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Amarinder Singh had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi urging her to make Sidhu the state president, which would adversely affect the chances of Congress winning the next assembly elections. He wrote the letter at a time when there was talk that the Congress high command could give Sidhu the role of state president and some other important role.

The last few months have seen open internal strife in Congress. Former minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and some leaders have opened a front against Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

The Congress High Command formed a three-member committee headed by senior leader Mallikarjun Khadge to resolve the internal strife in the party. The committee voted for most of the Punjab Congress leaders, including the Chief Minister, and then submitted its report to the High Command. In the last few days, Amarinder Singh has met Sonia Gandhi and Sidhu has also met Rahul Gandhi.