Sidhu: 60, Capt: 17; Mega Show Of Strength As MLAs Meet New Punjab Congress Chief In Amritsar

Amritsar: Even as suspense continues over a possible truce between Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, nearly 60 Congress MLAs gathered at the cricketer-turned politician’s residence here on Wednesday in what is being seen as a show of strength.

Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Charanjit Singh Channi, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa were among those who visited Sidhu’s residence besides former state unit chief Sunil Jakhar.

The MLAs joined by Sidhu later boarded luxury buses and went to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.

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MLA Madan Lal Jalalpur later told the media that the Congress will win the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls in Sidhu’s name and because of him, adding entire Punjab wants him today.

Expressing confidence of the Congress vote share going up in the next polls, he said there is great enthusiasm among the party workers after Sidhu’s elevation.

Commenting on the ongoing differences between Sidhu and Amarinder Singh, Jalalpur said the Punjab Chief Minister should welcome Sidhu with open arms, PTI reported.

The meeting with Sidhu assumes significance as the Congress has 80 MLAs in the state assembly.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Chief Minister’s office on Tuesday rubbished reports that Sidhu has sought an appointment with him.

The Chief Minister’s media advisor clarified that Sidhu has not sought an appointment with him.

The media advisor also announced that the Chief Minister would not meet Sidhu until the cricketer-turned-politician publicly expresses regret for the personal derogatory attacks made against him on social media.

It was earlier reported that the Chief Minister had also placed the condition of apology during his meeting with Harish Rawat, the party’s in-charge of state affairs.

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In the backdrop of simmering tensions in the Punjab Congress unit, the Chief Minister had earlier on Saturday met Rawat and stated that any decision taken by the Congress president Sonia Gandhi will be acceptable to all.

Sidhu has over the last few months been vocal against Captain Amarinder Singh and had also lashed out at him earlier over the “unfulfilled promises” ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.