Navjot Singh Sidhu has cleared the hurdles to his becoming Punjab Congress chief, reaching out to senior leaders including key members of chief minister Amarinder Singh’s camp after being chastened by Sonia Gandhi who stressed the need to take everybody along.
While the party general secretary in-charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat, flew to Chandigarh to assuage the chief minister’s sense of hurt, assuring him of his supremacy in the state hierarchy, Sidhu abandoned his combative posturing to demonstrate camaraderie with party seniors.
By evening, after a few more gestures of reconciliation towards Amarinder, it was clear that Sidhu would indeed become the state unit chief.
Sidhu walked into the homes of ministers, embraced former party presidents and put out this soothing tweet: “Seeking guidance of presidents of the illustrious Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee…. Conversations with wise men, worth months of education.”
This, coming from a motormouth who can burn bridges with his acerbic assertions, calmed veterans who had been unwilling to accept as state president a man who had crossed over from the BJP barely four years ago.
Amarinder has set a few preconditions for a truce. He has demanded a free hand in running the government and effecting a cabinet shuffle, as well as a say in the appointment of working presidents and other office-bearers.
Above all, he expects Sidhu to publicly apologise for putting out insulting tweets and statements against him and his government.
Party insiders expect Sidhu to send out a clear message that he did not want any confrontation with the chief minister and that he respected Amarinder as a senior leader. Sources said Amarinder would not meet Sidhu without a public apology even if the former cricketer is appointed state president.
Rawat tweeted after meeting Amarinder: “I have just returned to Delhi after meeting Captain Amarinder Singh. I am happy that the speculation outside (about his displeasure) was proved meaningless.
“The Captain has reiterated his statement that he will accept whatever is decided by the Congress president on the question of Punjab unit chief. I will honour her decision. Thank you Captain for your great statement.”
Sources said Sonia and Rahul had reprimanded Sidhu for his confrontational posturing and tutored him on how to run an organisation by taking everybody — critics, rivals and friends — along.
“He was told he had to act as a team leader irrespective of his personal style,” a source said, adding that both Sidhu and Amarinder had been advised about the importance of staying united if elections were to be won.
The resolution of the standoff is being seen as a significant achievement by Sonia, who still commands respect from every section of the party. It wasn’t easy to convince Amarinder to accept Sidhu as state unit chief, and senior leaders said in private that Sonia had pulled off a miracle.
“Soniaji is herself anguished by the state of affairs and has told the senior leaders they must accept her decisions after having forced her to come back from retirement,” a party insider told The Telegraph.
“She is upset by the politics of blackmail and has decided to crack the whip. Tough decisions can now be expected in other states too.”
Rahul’s public declaration on Friday that those feeling uncomfortable in the Congress can walk out is also being viewed as a toughening of stance by the family.
Although Rahul used the specific context of some party members’ possible fear of the ruling establishment, his comment was seen as reflecting a refusal to compromise and a readiness to face the worst, if necessary.
States like Gujarat and faction-ridden Rajasthan too are expected to witness tough decisions. Sonia, sources say, is also determined to end the uncertainty at the national level and will unveil a revamped party structure soon.
