Fragile peace: Congress’s united face in Punjab for real?

CHANDIGARH: The much-hyped meeting between Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and new PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu finally happened on Friday, but many party leaders continue to wonder if the bonhomie between the warring factions is for real.
As his name was called out at the installation ceremony, Sidhu rubbed his hands in anticipation, eager for the speech. He went past the chief minister, seated next to him, then touched party leaders Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Lal Singh’s feet at the end of the first row of dignitaries on the dais.

Earlier, fuelling speculation, Sidhu left the get together at tea before Amarinder’s arrival, only to return soon after. The event was scheduled for 10am but the CM was running late. On his return, Sidhu said he had gone for ardas and tried to sit at the other end of the table but was asked by other party leaders to sit next to Amarinder.
Even though the party high command may have intervened to paper over the cracks, many Congress leaders remain uncertain of the united face of the state unit lasting till the assembly elections due in early 2022. “One could sense a cold vibe when Amarinder and Sidhu posed with the large garland, along with outgoing PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar and AICC incharge of Punjab affairs Sunil Jakhar,” said a party leader.
Amarinder’s one-time bête noire, Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa, besides Ludhiana MP Manish Tewari, considered to be a CM loyalist, also attended the tea hosted for party leaders and then the installation ceremony, in what is being seen as an attempt to portray unity in the party. “The party managed to pull off the ceremony as a result of the intervention by Congress’s central leadership. There are reports of calls to party leaders in the state to put up a united face. AICC incharge of Punjab affairs Harish Rawat too has been at it,” said a party MLA.
Meanwhile, a section of party MLAs tried to convey that the party has resolved its internal turmoil. After the get together at Punjab Bhawan, Bhattal said, “The entire Congress leadership is elated over the taking over of the new team. One of them is my brother (Capt), the other my son (Sidhu).”
“Both leaders sat together, spoke to each other over tea,” added Sidhu loyalist MLA Pargat Singh, while MLA Navtej Singh Cheema said, “Fit and hit in the same frame, CM and Sidhu met warmly.”
However, another MLA said, “Sidhu indulged in aggressive posturing in his speech on various issues, but it will be closely watched if there is coordination between the state government and the party. He has also been repeatedly referring to the 18-point agenda of people’s issues given by the party high command but most of it has to be implemented by the chief minister.”
Another indication of tension between the two leaders was that Sidhu referred to Amarinder only once in his 18-minute speech, that too while referring to the issues facing the state.