Congress high command steps in after Navjot Kaur Sidhus Rs 500 crore for CM post remark sparks row
CHANDIGARH: The Congress high command has stepped in to defuse the crisis triggered by former Punjab MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhus remark on Rs 500 crore for CM post, with senior party leader Rahul Gandhi calling a meeting with AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Bhupesh Baghel and other senior leaders later this week to discuss the issues. Meanwhile, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring met Baghel on Thursday. Sources in the party claimed that a high-level committee will look into the conflict arisen in the state unit as part of the damage control exercise. While senior leader Rahul Gandhi had called a meeting with the AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs and other senior leaders later this week to discuss the issues, the leadership did not want the crisis to deepen amid the ongoing Parliament session. Sources further claimed that the high command has formed a panel headed by Baghel to examine the remarks in detail and the committee has been asked to submit a comprehensive report at the earliest. The party leadership is upset over the public outbursts as 14 months remain for the assembly polls. While the high command has advised both sides to rein themselves in, former state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has stayed away from the controversy till now, and only his wife Kaur has been hitting out at Warring. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring met Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel at the AICC headquarters in Delhi. Talking to the media, Baghel said, Any leader how much of tall stature he or she might be but is bided by the party discipline, immediately action was taken, indiscipline will not be tolerated. She was suspended from the primary membership of the party it is big action. Meanwhile, Warring maintained a cautious stance and refrained from commenting on internal party disciplinary matters. He did not comment when asked about the suspension of former Punjab MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu from the party. I do not want to interfere in who is doing what. I will only say that once a matter has been concluded, there should be no further discussion on it, he said. Warring added that the meeting was related to the working of the party. Navjot Singh Sidhu is likely to meet Priyanka Gandhi Vadra next week after seeking time from the party leadership. It is learnt that he wants to present his side before the high command takes any further action, claimed sources. Kaurs suspension from the party has fueled speculation about differences in leadership style and influence as tensions within the Punjab Congress have surfaced between state president Warring and Kaur.
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