Punjab Congress: "I don't have ego tussles," Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said.
New Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi has reached out to Navjot Singh Sidhu -- who stepped down from the party's top post on Monday -- suggesting that they discuss the issues on which he has objections and indicating that he was ready to be flexible.
"Nothing has been done intentionally. If anybody has objection on any appointment, then I am not rigid on that... I don't have ego tussles... I told him party is supreme, let's talk," Mr Channi told reporters today, recounting their telephonic conversation.
Mr Sidhu resigned in a fit of pique without any consultation with the party after Mr Channi named his cabinet where he, apparently, was not consulted. He is upset about several appointments, where the candidates were temporarily linked to corruption cases or happen to be a political rival.
Earlier today, Mr Sidhu released a video message, saying he could not compromise on ethics or "moral authority".
"I will make any sacrifice to stand by principles... I broke the system where tainted ministers and officers were accommodated. Now tainted ministers and officers can't be appointed again. I oppose such appointments," Mr Sidhu said in what apparently was a reference to Rana Gurjit Singh, who quit the Amarinder Singh cabinet in 2018 after being linked to a sand mining scam. He was later cleared by an inquiry panel.
He is also upset about the key home ministry being assigned to political rival and Deputy Chief Minister SS Randhawa.
He also has reservations about the appointment of senior IPS officer Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota, who has been given additional charge as Punjab Police chief. Mr Sahota was the head of a Special Investigation Team to probe the incidents linked to the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in 2015.
The biggest sore point has been the appointment of APS Deol as Advocate General. Mr Deol was counsel for a former police chief accused in a case related to the 2015 sacrilege cases and police firing on protesters.
The Amarinder Singh government's alleged non-action in the sacrilege cases has been one of the biggest grouses of the Congress rebels, including Mr Sidhu. The rebellion, simmering for over a year, led to the resignation of Mr Singh earlier this month.
But Mr Sidhu, who hoped to step into his shoes, remained disappointed as the party high command chose Mr Channi for the job.