Sidhu sticks to guns, but Congress stays hopeful of Punjab peace

NEW DELHI: Suspense hangs over the reorganisation of Punjab Congress and role for Navjot Sidhu amid continuing indications that the cricketer turned politician has stuck to his guns in recent days that he be handed the charge of the state unit.
A day after chief minister Amarinder Singh discussed the deadlock with party chief Sonia Gandhi and said he will implement whatever is decided by her, it is learnt the party engaged in some last minute negotiations to seal the deal that is to be announced “in three days”.
A senior leader involved in Punjab resolution is learnt to have contacted the state colleagues to discuss the reorganisation as did the key trouble shooters of the leadership.
Well-placed sources said Sidhu has been adamant on the post of state president and no amount of reasoning could shake him from his desire. He met Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi last week. Priyanka is said to be backing Sidhu strongly, along with the feedback that he has the public sentiment with him.
However, on Wednesday, Congress was hopeful as it hung on to the words it attributed to Sidhu. “He has told us that he will abide by the decision of the party and the Congress president,” a key manager told TOI.
While the opposition to his leadership was pointed out to Sidhu and he was offered the post of chairman of the campaign committee, along with inclusion in CEC or the post of deputy CM, sources said he was reluctant to back down.
Further complicating Sidhu’s push is CM Singh’s card that a Hindu leader should become the state president for political balancing.