New meeting of Punjab Congress MPs casts shadow over Sidhu's elevation to party's helm
Chandigarh/IBNS: A day after media reported that Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has approved Navjot Sidhu's elevation to the helm of Punjab unit of Congress, the MPs of both houses from the state have decided to meet today to oppose the promotion, said media reports.
An NDTV report said that the meeting organised by the Chief Minister's wife is a fresh attempt by him to stop Sidhu's rise to the party's topmost position in the state.
According to the report, the MPS will urge the Congress leadership to not appoint Sidhu as the party chief.
The report stated that there is a strong objection to the decision among the party old-timers, who consider Sidhu as a "BJP-reject".
The meeting will be chaired by Sunil Jakhar, State Congress President and a longtime rival of Amrinder Singh.
However, both seem to have given up their differences over the matter of Sidhu's promotion.
Jakhar will also hold a meeting of party MLAs and district chiefs tomorrow in a bid to end the feud which threatens to polarise the party.
Meanwhile, amid the heated political developments, Sidhu has shifted base to Patiala, which is the home turf of the chief minister.
Yesterday, he met around 30 MLAs and more meetings are due today.
On Saturday, party sources said that Singh has agreed to Sidhu's elevation while maintaining that he should be given an upper hand in all state matters including the assembly elections slated next year.
He also insisted on a free hand with the state cabinet reshuffle and appointment of the three working presidents under Sidhu, if he becomes the Punjab unit chief of Congress.
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