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Navjot Singh Sidhu Has His Way, Appointed Punjab PCC Chief

By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2021-07-18 16:50:54

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.

After a couple of days of intense political activity in Punjab and Delhi, the Congress high command today appointed 'BJP reject' Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Pradesh Congress Committee chief overruling all objections. It has also appointed four working presidents - Sangat Singh Gilzian, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Pawan Goel, Kuljit Singh Nagra. 

While this puts to rest one set of speculations, it gives rise to another, more serious set. Since chief minister Amarinder Singh had demanded a public apology from Sidhu for insulting him, among other conditions, for accepting him as PCC chief and since Sidhu has not issued even a veiled apology, will Singh accept him now?

It also signals that the Congress high command has decided to bank on youth and most likely will make Sidhu the face of its campaign in the state elections in 2022. That is why it has chosen to appoint him as PCC chief despite objections from many leaders in the state. As a corollary, it also means that Amarinder Singh's stock will plummet from here on.

That Sidhu had the ear of the Gandhis was evident from the way he could meet them whenever he wanted while other, more senior leaders, got no appointments. But it was expected that the objections from senior leaders in the state would be given consideration before any decision was taken. While it is not known what backroom deals have been struck, Amarinder Singh's demand for a public apology from Sidhu has not been met till now.

Sidhu's appointment means that the Congress has taken a clear stand. The other leaders in Punjab have no choice but to accept it. It remains to be seen how Sidhu carries them with him and how he sets the house in order to present a united face before the electorate.

But one thing is sure - if he does not manage to win Amarinder Singh over and if the Captain uses his clout to put hurdles in his way, Sidhu will not be able to achieve what he has set out to. Hence, his first priority would be to bring the Captain - and Pratap Singh Bajwa, too -  to his side. Without that, it will not be possible for him to work smoothly. 

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