New Delhi: There seems to be no end to infighting within the Punjab Congress, with party leader Sunil Jhakhar now lashing out at state in-charge Harish Rawat over the latter’s statement that the next year’s assembly elections will be fought under Navjot Singh Sidhu.
In a tweet Monday morning, hours before the swearing-in ceremony of the new Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Jhakhar, former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief, wrote: “On the swearing-in day of Sh @Charnjit_channi as Chief Minister, Mr Rawats’s statement that “elections will be fought under Sidhu”, is baffling. It’s likely to undermine CM’s authority but also negate the very ‘raison d’être’ of his selection for this position.”
On the swearing-in day of Sh @Charnjit_channi as Chief Minister, Mr Rawats’s statement that “elections will be fought under Sidhu”, is baffling. It’s likely to undermine CM’s authority but also negate the very ‘raison d’être’ of his selection for this position.
— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) September 20, 2021
His tweet was in reference to Rawat’s statement late Sunday. Speaking to ANI, Rawat had said, “It (Congress’ face for upcoming state assembly polls) will be decided by the Congress president, but given the circumstances, elections will be fought with the Chief Minister’s cabinet under Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, whose chief is Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is very popular.”
When asked about his tweet, Jakhar told media: “I have not raised questions, only expressed concerns. I will discuss these with Rahul Gandhi ji today”
Jhakhar was seen as one of the front-runners in the race for the post of the Punjab CM, after Amarinder Singh resigned Saturday, but lost out to Channi.
Hours before Singh’s resignation, Jhakhar had put out a tweet supporting Rahul Gandhi’s “Alexandrian solution” and “bold leadership decision” to bring an end to the crisis in Punjab Congress.
Kudos to Sh @RahulGandhi for adopting Alexandrian solution to this punjabi version of Gordian knot. Surprisingly, this bold leadership decision to resolve Punjab Congress imbroglio has not only enthralled congress workers but has sent shudders down the spines of Akalis.
— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) September 18, 2021
Also read: Why Channi is new Punjab CM — Congress eyeing large Dalit vote bank, peace between factions