No move on Sidhu yet, CM to take call today

New Delhi

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who was in the National Capital today, reiterated that he would on return tomorrow take a call on the resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu from his Council of Ministers. A final decision on the fate of the minister could end the stalemate on this issue.

Sources in the higher echelons of the Congress today indicated that despite efforts by the party central leadership, there was little headway with each side sticking to its position.

The sources said while the minister sought to hold charge of the previous portfolio for a while before a change was made, the state leadership was clear the Chief Minister’s decision needed to be respected and followed through.

“There appears little chance of any rapprochement now,” sources told The Tribune, while unwilling to speculate on the likely decision of the Chief Minister — accept or reject the resignation.

“I will decide on his resignation after I return to Chandigarh tomorrow and go through the contents of the resignation letter,” the Chief Minister said when asked about the fate of Sidhu.

Ever since the CMreshuffled the portfolio of Sidhu allocating power, new and renewable energy instead of local bodies, tourism and culture, the cricketer-turned-politician has stayed away from work.

On July 14, Sidhu made public his resignation of June 10 to Congress president and informed that another letter was sent to the Chief Minister, who since that day was away from his office.

Meanwhile, Capt Amarinder had an hour-long chat session with MPs from the state as he visited the Central Hall of Parliament after long today.

The CMis in Delhi since yesterday for a series of meetings with Union ministers. He met state MPs today, but some among them were absent even as all of them were intimated about the visit in advance.

Former state Congress Chief and Rajya Sabha MP Partap Bajwa was not there, but almost all Lok Sabha MPs like Manish Tewari, Gurjit Singh Aujla, Preneet Kaur and Amar Singh were there.

AICC incharge of Punjab Asha Kumari also accompanied Capt Amarinder to the Central Hall and said, “We just met over a cup of tea.”