Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns: He had taken over as the state party chief in July this year. (FILE)
The ongoing crisis in Punjab deepened today with Navjot Singh Sidhu's surprise resignation as the chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. "I told you so... he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab," said Amarinder Singh, the former Chief Minister, shortly after. Punjab cabinet minister Razia Sultana also quit hours later "in solidarity with Navjot Sidhu".
The resignations came just months before the Punjab election.
Mr Sidhu, in a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, said he will continue to serve the party. He had taken over as the state party chief in July this year.
"The collapse of a man's character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab's future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab," he wrote in the letter.
Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh is presently in Delhi, days after his unceremonious exit from the government. His visit is "personal" and there is "no need for speculation", the former Punjab Chief Minister's media advisor tweeted today.
He had resigned amid a bitter power tussle with Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu. After resigning as Punjab chief minister, Amarinder Singh had said he felt “humiliated.”
Here are the Highlights on Punjab Congress Crisis:
"New Punjab Government Should Have Been Careful": Navjot Sidhu's AdvisorChief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's new government ought to have been more careful in taking decisions and not precipitated the crisis in the Punjab Congress, according to an advisor to
Navjot Singh Sidhu, the state party unit chief who resigned today.
Dubbing Congress leader Amarinder Singh's allegation that Mr Sidhu may move to another party speculation, the cricketer-turned-politician's advisor Surinder Dalla today told NDTV that the former Chief Minister "must have been confused" while making the comment.
"Mr Sidhu's fight is one of principles," Mr Dalla said. "People should understand that for any political party or elected representative, the prime issue is the issue of one's own state."
Punjab Crisis: We urge him to withdraw resignation, says Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira
"He (Navjot Singh Sidhu) had taken stand against corruption in Punjab..., if his suggestions are not paid heed to, he would not want to be a speechless president. We urge him to withdraw resignation and request high command to redress his grievances," said Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
Punjab Crisis - "Not Here To Meet Any Politician": Amarinder Singh After Landing In Delhi
Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh who arrived in the national capital on Tuesday said that he has come to Delhi to vacate Kapurthala House, further clarifying that he is not going to meet any politician during his visit.
Speaking to reporters at the Delhi airport, Mr Singh said, "I am here to vacate Kapurthala House (the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister in New Delhi). I am not going to meet any politician here."
Punjab Crisis: Gulzar Inder Chahal resigns from Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Treasurer's post
Gulzar Inder Chahal on Tuesday resigned as Treasurer of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) following the resignation of the party's state unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Mr Chahal who was appointed as the Treasurer of PPCC on September 21, submitted his resignation to the Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi.
"I hereby resign as the Treasurer of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee with immediate effect," stated Chahal in his resignation letter.
While Mr Sidhu in his letter stated, "The collapse of a man's character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab's future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress."
Just In: Punjab cabinet minister Razia Sultana quits, says "I resign in solidarity with Navjot Sidhu"; urgent cabinet meeting underway
Punjab Congress Crisis: "Not going to meet any politician," says Captain Amarinder Singh as he arrives in Delhi
Former Punjab Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh who arrived in the national capital on Tuesday said that he has come to Delhi to vacate Kapurthala House, further clarifying that he is not going to meet any politician during his visit.
Speaking to reporters at the Delhi airport, Mr Singh said, "I am here to vacate Kapurthala House (the official residence of Punjab Chief Minister in New Delhi). I am not going to meet any politician."
Further responding to a question on Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu's resignation today, the former Chief Minister said, "This man (Navjot Singh Sidhu) is unstable."
Punjab Crisis - "Congress getting destroyed in its own maze of tricks": Minister On PunjabUnion Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "Congress is getting destroyed in its own maze of tricks." "Its policies and leadership are filled with negativity, effect of which can be seen," he said on political situation in Punjab following the resignation of Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Punjab Congress Crisis: "Selfish Leaders" Of Congress, Tweets AAP Leader After Navjot Sidhu Resignation
Shortly after Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from the post of Punjab Congress President, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raghav Chaddha said that ''selfish leaders'' of Congress are incompetent in running ''stable, progressive, inclusive'' administration in Punjab.
Mr Chaddha tweeted, "Complete and absolute state of anarchy in Punjab Congress. How can the people of Punjab expect these selfish leaders to give a stable, progressive and inclusive administration?"
"How can these people be trusted with a state which has 550km border with Pakistan?" he tweeted.
Punjab Crisis: What Punjab Chief Minister Said On Navjot Sidhu Resignation ShockerChief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi declared Tuesday that he would "lead the people of Punjab to Delhi" and sit outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence to support the farmers' protest against the centre's controversial farm laws.
"I will lead the people of Punjab to Delhi... I will sit outside PM's residence in protest against the farm laws..." Mr Channi told reporters this evening, minutes after Navjot Sidhu resigned as chief of the Congress' state unit, triggering a fresh leadership crisis for the Congress in the poll-bound state.
The declaration has been seen as significant given that opposition parties in Punjab had repeatedly criticised the ruling Congress over his predecessor - Amarinder Singh - not doing something similar.
Punjab Congress Crisis: He is an unstable man, says Amarinder Singh"I had said that he (Navjot Singh Sidhu) is an unstable man, he won't stay for long and the same happened," said Amarinder Singh in Delhi.
Punjab Crisis: Amarinder Singh lands in DelhiFormer Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reaches Delhi.
Punjab Congress Updates: Have full faith in Navjot Singh Sidhu, says Punjab Chief Minister
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi On Tuesday said that he has full confidence and faith in Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as state Congress chief a few hours ago, reported news agency ANI.
"I have full confidence and faith in (Navjot Singh) Sidhu Sahab," Mr Channi said while addressing a press conference today.
Mr Sidhu in his resignation letter to party's interim president Sonia Gandhi said, "The collapse of a man''s character stems from the compromise corner, I can never compromise on Punjab''s future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress."
Meanwhile, Mr Channi, who addressed the media after Mr Sidhu stepped down from his post said that he had "no information" over the matter.
Punjab Congress Crisis: BJP leader on Navjot Singh Sidhu's resignation as Punjab Congress chief
Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as he must have felt sidelined, said BJP's Ashwini Sharma on his resignation as Punjab Congress chief. Mr Sidhu's resignation comes just months ahead of the state elections.
Punjab Congress Updates - Navjot Sidhu unfit for Punjab: Amarinder Singh reacts to his resignation as Punjab Congress chief
Soon after Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from the post of Punjab Congress President, former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said that Mr Sidhu is unstable and unfit for the state of Punjab.
"I told you so...he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab," said Captain Amarinder Singh in a tweet.
The former Punjab Chief Minister and senior Congress leader's remarks came as Mr Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Unit of the Congress.
Punjab Crisis - "He is not upset with me": New Punjab Chief Minister
"It will be settled if he is upset...though he is not upset with me," said Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Sigh Channi on Navjot Singh Sidhu being upset over bureaucratic set up and his commands not being followed after cabinet expansion in Punjab, reported news agency ANI.
Punjab Congress Crisis: Navjot Sidhu's resignation comes as a shocker to the Gandhis
The resignation, months before the Punjab election, has shocked the Congress leadership and is seen as a huge blow, given that the Gandhis were warned about appointing Mr Sidhu as Punjab Congress chief. It was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had pushed for Mr Sidhu, against all odds.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are yet to reach Delhi after their visit to Shimla.
Punjab Congress Updates: Amarinder Singh at Chandigarh airport to leave for Delhi
Navjot Singh Sidhu couldn't stand a Dalit was made Punjab CM, alleges AAPThe Aam Aadmi Party on Tuesday claimed that Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu quit from his post as he ''could not bear" that a Dalit has been made the chief minister of the state.
Mr Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee ahead of the Assembly elections in the state early next year.
In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Mr Sidhu, however, said he will continue to serve the party. He had taken over as the state party chief in July this year.
"This shows that Navjot Singh Sidhu is against Dalits. One poor son was made the chief minister... this, Sidhu could not bear. It is very sad," AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj told reporters.
The AAP is the main opposition in Punjab.
Punjab Congress Crisis: Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi seen at Chandigarh International Airport on their way to New DelhiCongress Interim President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were seen at Chandigarh International Airport on their way to Delhi from Shimla. Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh is also reaching Delhi from Chandigarh.
Complete and absolute state of anarchy in Punjab Congress, says AAP leader"Complete and absolute state of anarchy in Punjab Congress," said AAP leader Raghav Chadha after Navjot Sidhu's resignation. "How can the people of Punjab expect these selfish leaders to give a stable, progressive and inclusive administration? How can these people be trusted with a state which has 550km border with Pakistan?" he tweeted.
Navjot Singh Sidhu's resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi
"Told You So... He Isn't A Stable Man": Captain On Navjot Sidhu ShockerShortly after Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as Punjab Congress chief, his rival Amarinder Singh delivered the first taunt to the party leadership. "I told you so... he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab," the former Chief Minister tweeted.
For Amarinder Singh, who resigned earlier this month as Chief Minister citing humiliation by the party, this is vindication much sooner than he may have expected.
Navjot Sidhu Quits As Punjab Congress ChiefNavjot Singh Sidhu has resigned as Punjab Congress chief, in a stunning development just days after Amarinder Singh was replaced as Chief Minister in a series of events that had his approval.
"The collapse of a man's character stems from the compromise corner. I can never compromise on Punjab's future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab. Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. I will continue to serve the Congress," Navjot Sidhu wrote in a resignation letter to Sonia Gandhi, which he posted on social media.
The resignation, months before the Punjab election, has shocked the Congress leadership and is seen as a huge blow, given that the Gandhis were warned about appointing Mr Sidhu as Punjab Congress chief. It was Priyanka Gandhi Vadra who had pushed for Mr Sidhu, against all odds.