In an attempt to resolve the new crisis faced by the state government following the resignation by Navjot Singh Sidhu as the Punjab Congress chief, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is holding a state cabinet meeting. Sidhu’s resignation on Tuesday triggered other resignations, plunging the party into a fresh crisis just months ahead of the assembly elections.
Hours after his resignation, Razia Sultana, a part of the new 18-member ministry led by Charanjit Singh Channi, too put in her papers, expressing solidarity with the former cricketer. Punjab Congress general secretary Yoginder Dhingra and treasurer Gulzar Inder Chahal followed with their resignations. Amid a flurry of political activity, several state Congress leaders visited Sidhu at his home in Patiala.
In our party, there is no president so we don't know who is taking these decisions. We know & yet we don't know: Congress leader Kapil Sibal
The irony ios that those whom they concerned loyalists have left the party, and those whom they did not trust are still with them: Kapil Sibal lashes out on top leadership
Mass exodus of leaders from the party, need to urgently figure out what to do next: Kipal Sibal expresses concern over leadership crisis
People of Punjab are upset over Bargari (sacrilege) case. Mastermind of the case, I don't need to say who he's, didn't get any punishment so far. Channi sahab should read Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh's report, he'll find the names. They can be arrested within 24 hrs: Arvind Kejriwal
Whoever is party president, is head of the family. I had called him (Navjot Singh Sidhu) & told him that the party is supreme... I have spoken to him on phone and told him let's sit, talk it out and resolve the issue: Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi on Sidhu's resignation
I have no ego on any issue but I will continue to fight for the welfare of the state: Charanjit Singh Channi
I spoke to Navjot Sidhu on phone and if he finds any problems, he should come and discuss: Channi
Pending power bills of consumers of upto 2 kv will be paid by the government, says Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi after chairing a cabinet meeting.
One man (Navjot Singh Sidhu) leaving/joining the party doesn't affect our prospects to win the election, Congress will form the govt again...What he did is no less than betrayal...: Jasveer Singh Kamboj, Congress on Sidhu's resignation as Punjab chief
‘Can’t compromise on ethics and moral authority’: Navjot Sidhu cites ‘tainted’ leaders in video message
Navjot Singh Sidhu said that he is fighting for a cause and he will not compromise on those grounds. "My 17 years of political career is for a cause. My objective in politics is to improve the lives of people in Punjab, to make a difference and to stand firm on my objectives," Sidhu said in a video statement on Twitter.
The gentleman (Sidhu) can answer for himself. I'm in no position or neither would I like to articulate or second guess a question that can be best addressed by him: Congress MP from Punjab Manish Tewari on resignation by Navjot Singh Sidhu as Punjab Congress president
All I'm saying is, someone who cut his teeth on trench lines on fight against terrorism in Punjab, personally suffered because of depredations of militants, saw families of Congress men wiped out in struggle between 1980-1995, this kind of instability is extremely disturbing: Manish tewari
I have just returned from a regional security conference & I can tell you that the only people who are very happy with what is going on in Punjab is the deep state of Pakistan. They feel that they will get an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. There's a higher ideal than power, than ministers holding org positions. That higher ideal is ensuring peace, tranquillity & stability of a border state like Punjab. Under those circumstances what has been playing itself out is extremely unfortunate: Manish Tewari
I have just returned from a regional security conference & I can tell you that the only people who are very happy with what is going on in Punjab is the deep state of Pakistan. They feel that they will get an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. There's a higher ideal than power, than ministers holding org positions. That higher ideal is ensuring peace, tranquillity & stability of a border state like Punjab. Under those circumstances what has been playing itself out is extremely unfortunate: Manish Tewari
As a Punjab MP, I'm extremely distressed about happenings in Punjab. Peace in Punjab was extremely hard-won. 25,000 people, bulk of them Congress men, sacrificied themselves to bring peace back to Punjab after fighting extremism and terrorism between 1980-1995: Manish Tewari
Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi calls the state cabinet meeting at State Secretariat today.
Sidhu is said to have been upset over some recent appointments. Rana Gurjit Singh was included in the ministry despite protests by some party leaders over his "tainted" past. He had to resign from the previous Amarinder Singh ministry over allegations of impropriety in the auction of sand-mining contracts. Sidhu was also said to be unhappy that MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra was denied a berth in the Channi ministry. Then there was the appointment of A P S Deol as the state's new Advocate General. As a senior advocate, Deol was a counsel for former Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini.
"Nothing to worry, everything will be alright," says Congress leader KC Venugopal over resignations of four Congress leaders from their posts followed in "solidarity" with the resignation of party's state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
"The collapse of a man's character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab's future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress," Sidhu wrote in his letter to Sonia Gandhi.