After Capt, ministers have a go at Sidhu

Chandigarh

As polling drew to an end, several Punjab ministers today joined the chorus against Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his “friendly-match” jibe, aimed at Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, on the last day of campaigning in Bathinda.

Threatening to take up the matter with the party high command to restrain Sidhu from “damaging the party”, Cabinet Ministers Brahm Mohindra, Sukhjinder Randhawa and Tript Rajinder Bajwa hit out at Sidhu as the CM said, “Sidhu damaged the party with his ill-timed comments against me and party leadership.”

“There is no war of words with Sidhu. If he is ambitious, it’s fine, people have ambition. I have known him since his childhood, I have no difference of opinion with him. He probably wants to become CM and replace me. If he is a real Congressman, he should have chosen a better time to air his grievances instead of just ahead of voting,” said Capt Amarinder.

One of Sidhu’s “admirers” in the Cabinet, Sukhjinder Randhawa, termed Sidhu’s remarks “backstabbing the Congress and Rahul Gandhi”. “Sidhu does not have the habit of staying for long in one party. I protected him in the Assembly when he was cornered by Akalis. There is no friendly match with Akalis. It was Sidhu who was with the BJP,” he added.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra also criticised Sidhu, saying it amounted to sabotage. He said, “He must realise he is no longer in the BJP, but in the Congress, where there are multiple forums to raise all the issues he wants.”

Housing Minister Tript Rajinder Bajwa said Sidhu’s remarks were irresponsible.

‘If he wants my job…’

If Sidhu wants to challenge me and my job, he should take it up with the high command. It is for them to decide on any action against Sidhu, but the Congress, as a party, does not tolerate indiscipline. —Capt Amarinder Singh, CM