Navjot Singh Sidhu's 'comedy show' in Punjab Congress

(PTI) Chandigarh, Ta. 3

The Punjab Congress is once again in turmoil. Cricketer, comedy show judge-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as Punjab Congress president on Tuesday in just two-and-a-half months. As a result, the Congress is facing a new crisis even before the state assembly elections. Navjot Sidhu has announced his resignation in a letter addressed to Sonia Gandhi. Sidhu's letter, which slammed the Congress leadership, came at a time when the Gandhi family had not even returned from a holiday in Shimla to Delhi. In addition, two ministers of the newly formed Channy cabinet, Razia Sultan and Pargat Singh, have also resigned in the aftermath of the earthquake in the Punjab Congress following Sidhu's resignation.

With Punjab set to hold assembly elections early next year, the ruling Congress party has become "unstable" in the state and is facing one political quake after another. Sidhu resigned from the post of state president shortly after the allocation of portfolios to ministers in the newly formed Channy cabinet in Punjab. He wrote a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi announcing his resignation and said he would continue to serve the party.

Amid a long-running leadership tussle with then Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh over leadership issues, the High Command had on July 19 selected Navjot Singh Sidhu as Punjab Congress president. As soon as he became the president of the state, his quarrel with the then Chief Minister Amarinder Singh increased. As a result, Amarinder Singh resigned as chief minister 10 days ago, alleging that he had been insulted by the high command.

Amid the turmoil in the Punjab Congress over the resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab cabinet ministers Razia Sultana and Pargat Singh have also resigned in his support. Pargat Singh was made education minister in the Channi government while Razia Sultan was cabinet minister.

Razia is the wife of Sultan Navjot Singh Sidhu's political adviser and former DGP Mohammad Mustafa. Earlier, Punjab Congress Committee treasurer Gulzar Inder Chahal and Yoginder Dhingra had resigned from the post of Punjab Congress general secretary. Razia Sultan took over the ministry two days ago.

"I have resigned in solidarity with Navjot Singh Sidhu," Razia told Sultan. Sidhu Saheb is a man of principles. They are fighting for Punjab and Punjabiyat. In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, Sidhu said that the downfall of one's personality begins with understanding. I cannot explain the future of Punjab and the welfare agenda of Punjab. Therefore, I resign from the post of Chairman of the Punjab Pradesh Samiti. I will continue to serve Congress.

The crisis in the Punjab Congress is getting worse after Sidhu's resignation. At a press conference after Sidhu's resignation, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channy said he was unaware of his resignation. In addition, two more ministers resigned after Sidhu, and Charanjit Singh Channy called an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, in the wake of the state government's resignations, Capt Amarinder's supporters have demanded a floor test of the Charanjit Singh Channy government in the Assembly. On the other hand, supporters have gathered at Navjot Sidhu's house in Patiala to discuss the next strategy. Channy has also reached his residence at Patiala to persuade Sidhu.

Meanwhile, according to Congress sources, the high command has not accepted the resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu. The High Command has earlier asked the state leadership to resolve the dispute at their level. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has appealed to Sidhu to withdraw his resignation.