New Delhi: 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:
Sep 28, 2021 21:45 (IST)
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.
Sep 28, 2021 20:07 (IST)
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."
Sep 28, 2021 19:35 (IST)
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."
Sep 28, 2021 18:52 (IST)
Just In: Punjab cabinet minister Razia Sultana quits, says "I resign in solidarity with Navjot Sidhu"; urgent cabinet meeting underway
Sep 28, 2021 18:27 (IST)
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."
Sep 28, 2021 18:11 (IST)
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.
Sep 28, 2021 17:06 (IST)
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.
Sep 28, 2021 16:51 (IST)
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.
Sep 28, 2021 16:45 (IST)
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.
Sep 28, 2021 16:42 (IST)
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.
Sep 28, 2021 16:33 (IST)
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.
