Congress in Punjab is facing a possible friction between Navjot Singh Sidhu and the present CM of the state. On Sunday, the former minister asserted that he was as much a traditional Congress man as any of his detractors within the party.

Patience of Amritsar-MLA may be wearing thin as the Congress high command looks to pacify the feuding leaders and “suitably accommodate” Navjot Sidhu, as recommended by a party panel ten days ago. In his latest discussion with media channels and national dailies, Sidhu castigated the Punjab CM, talked about his vision and played an artful dodger on his next course of action.

Navjot Singh Sidhu was the minister of Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Affairs in Punjab from March 16, 2017 to July 20, 2019. To end the crisis in the Punjab Congress, the party high command is currently carrying out brainstorming sessions about the permutations and combinations of leaders, locations and profiles. In an ongoing conflict and tussle between Sidhu and CM Capt Amarinder Singh, the former tourism and culture minister of Punjab clarified that he was not eyeing any position in Congress or the state government. Sidhu also pointed out that he was “not a showpiece” which can be used to win elections and then “selfish vested interests can override the interests of Punjab”.

Navjot Sidhu also stated that he was willing to be a Zila parishad member, let alone become PPCC president, if his agenda is followed for Punjab’s development.

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On a query on reports suggesting that he was keen on the post of PPCC president, Sidhu answered, “There is no truth in these reports. In 17 years of my political career, I have never sought any position. It is nothing but a bid to divert attention from the real issues. I joined the Congress in 2016 on the assurance that my pro-people agenda would be fulfilled. Prashant Kishor met me many times in this regard. The corrupt system controlled by two power families in the state is not allowing any change, but I will not give up.”

Sidhu also stated that there has been a constancy of purpose of his political career to observe and change the system. He alleged that the system in Punjab is being run by two families who are belittling the legislature.

Stressing over his familial ties with Congress, Sidhu stated that his father and mother were Congress leaders. He added that his parents had devoted 42 years of their life to the party. On his disconnect and rift with Punjab Congress, Sidhu added rhetoric, “Who is the CM to slam the door on me? Is he the Congress?” He further commented that he never received a response to any of his tweets on issues such as the sacrilege cases, sand mafia, transport mafia and the big fish involved in the drug trade.

Sidhu clarified that his agenda is to stop the loot of public money. He stated that he is willing to stay behind Punjab-CM if his (Sidhu’s) 13-point agenda is followed and implemented. He further commented that the state government should crush the sand mafia and make the sand cheaper. On Sand mafia, he commented that he has been told that there is no sand mafia, but only transport mafia, as the sands need truck to be transported. Sidhu also suggested, on the “removal of the parity in taxes between the government-run buses and those ‘illegally’ run by the Badals.”

He also alleged that his suggestion on illegal encroachment was ignored. On the issue of drug-menace in Punjab, he said that there was a special task force report. He claimed that Jagdish Bhola was giving statements against Bikram Singh Majithia, with the court saying that there was prima facie evidence against Majithia. But, the system had not even read the report, as alleged by Sidhu.

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Sidhu also stated that many red herrings have been thrown about his meeting with party high command, but actually there are no meetings in the upcoming days. He also added that he has received many offers from the party high command, but he has rejected all of them.

Navjot Singh Sidhu stressed that it is not about post, but about a roadmap to resurrect Punjab to its former glory.

The rift between Navjot Sidhu and Capt. Amarinder Singh is significant and particularly problematic for the Congress prior to the assembly election in Punjab due next year.