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BIG STORY OCTOBER 01, 2021 | The Indian Eye 5

our so-called senior leaders are state after being on a winning
saying that do not know who is spree for four-and-a-half years.
taking decisions in the party,” Amarinder Singh said the
Kumar said. only pressure he had been un-
There is no doubt the Con- der for the past few months
gress party is facing a crisis. But was that of his own loyalty to
Rahul Gandhi is working on his the Congress. He also said that
own ideas. Congress is “clearly on back-
Even when uncertainty re- foot” now in Punjab, which will
garding factionalism in Con- face assembly polls early next
gress is looming in its Punjab year. Amarinder Singh said he
unit, and relationships within had offered resignation to Con-
the party are turning sour, Con- gress president Sonia Gandhi
gress MP Rahul Gandhi, who three weeks before stepping
was on a visit to Kerala, an- down as chief minister but she
chored his speeches on “idea of had asked him to continue.
India” and also on maintaining He said the “humiliating
the “relationships” by bridging manner” in which he was pushed
the gap between love and hate. amarinder Singh meets Union Home minister amit Shah in new Delhi on into resigning just hours before
Speaking to mediapersons, Wednesday (ani) the CLP meeting, “which was
Rahul Gandhi said that he does clearly convened to oust him,
not want to speak to the media was a matter of public record”.
regarding how the events are Ridiculing Rawat’s remarks
unfolding within the party. “I that he (Captain Amarinder)
don’t want to speak to media seemed to be under pressure,
right now regarding the issues. the former Chief Minister said
I will react later,” he said a day the only pressure he had been
after Punjab PCC chief Navjot under for the past few months
Singh Sidhu resigned and played was that of his own loyalty to
spoilsport when young trunks the Congress, because of which
like Kanhaiya Kumar shifted “he continued to tolerate insult
from CPI to Congress with sup- after insult”.
port from independent MLA in “If the party did not intend
Gujarat, Jignesh Mevani. to humiliate me then why was
The latest crisis began after Navjot Singh Sidhu allowed to
Amarinder Singh stepped down openly criticise and attack me
from the post of chief minis- on social media and other public
ter on September 18 following platforms for months? Why did
months of infighting with Nav- the party give the rebels, led by
jot Singh Sidhu. A fresh politi- navjot Singh Sidhu leaves for Chandigarh from his residence to meet Chief Sidhu, a free hand in undermin-
cal crisis in Punjab unfolded af- minister Charanjit Singh Channi, in Patiala on thursday (ani) ing my authority? Why was no
ter Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned cognizance given to the uninter-
as PCC chief. Subsequently, or indirectly”. “All the party leaders pres- rupted spree of electoral wins I
several leaders and a state min- Addressing a press confer- ent in the CLP meeting praised handed over to the party through
ister considered close to Sidhu ence, Rawat, who is AICC in- and thanked Captain for his ser- the four-and-a-half years I
also tendered their resignation charge of Punjab, said there are vices as chief minister. So, it is was in the saddle?,” he asked.
to the party’s leadership. Sidhu no facts in reports that Captain wrong to say that he was being Amarinder Singh asked why
was made PCC chief by Con- Amarinder Singh was insulted insulted,” Rawat said. He said the Congress was allowing Sid-
gress leadership in July to stem by Congress. He said the for- the former chief minister should hu even now to hold the party to
infighting in Punjab Congress mer Chief Minister should re- once again think about his polit- ransom and continue to dictate
ahead of next year’s assembly think the course of action he is ical journey in Punjab. terms. “What is the pressure
polls but the party is now grap- pursuing. But taking strong exception he exerts on the party leader-
pling with a fresh crisis. He said Congress had pro- to Harish Rawat’s “no-holds ship that they are so defenceless
The crisis became huge this tected and respected the dignity barred attack” against him, against him and are allowing
week as a day after Captain of Amarinder Singh. former Chief Minister Captain him to have his way even to the
Amarinder Singh said he will be “All that has been done by Amarinder Singh on Friday cost of the Congress’ future in
quitting Congress, party lead- the Congress party till now is to rejected the Congress leader Punjab?” he asked.
er Harish Rawat said that the protect the respect and digni- Harish Rawat’s “outrageous Reacting to Rawat’s com-
former Punjab Chief Minister ty of Captain Amarinder Singh claims and allegations,” which ment regarding his secular cre-
appeared to be under “some and increase the party’s chances he said were clearly prompted dentials, Captain Amarinder
sort of pressure” and should not (in 2022 assembly polls) in Pun- by the “pathetic situation” the said even his worst critics and
help and support “BJP directly jab,” Rawat said. Congress now found itself in the Continued on next page... >>

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