Amarinder had earlier expressed his objection to Navjot Sidhu being made Punjab Congress chief.
The weeks-long crisis in the Punjab Congress seemed to be blowing out today with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh dropping his objection to the elevation of rebel leader Navjot Singh Sidhu as the unit's new chief, sources said. Signaling his approval, he insisted on maintaining his primacy in matters related to the state, including next year's Assembly elections, they said.
"The Captain said he will abide by the Party President's decision, and also said that the party high command should involve him in important decision making processes," sources said. "The Chief Minister stressed that Mr Sidhu's appointment should complement his efforts in returning the party to power in the 2022 assembly elections...Amarinder (Singh) should be given a free hand in cabinet rejig and also in the appointment of working presidents under the Punjab Congress President."
No official announcement has been made till now, though.
Signs of Mr Sidhu's promotion began to emerge early in the day today when he tweeted about meeting top leaders of the Punjab Congress, including past Presidents, over the past few days to "seek guidance".
"Seeking guidance of Presidents of the illustrious Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee...Conversations with wise men, worth months of Education!!" the cricketer-turned-politician tweeted, sharing photos with various leaders, including Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, the man he is tipped to replace.
Late this morning, Harish Rawat, the Congress's Punjab in-charge, flew in on a state government chopper to meet the Chief Minister.
On returning to Delhi, the AICC General Secretary expressed happiness that "several matters that were being discussed outside" have turned to be worthless after talking to the the Chief Minister.
"Captain saab has repeated his stand that he will accept and respect whatever decision the Congress President takes in the matter of the Punjab Congress chief's position," Mr Rawat tweeted in Hindi, thanking the Chief Minister for this.
Mr Rawat met Mr Singh a day after the latter, according to sources, wrote to Congress President Sonia Gandhi objecting to Mr Sidhu replacing Mr Jakhar. This was part of a compromise formula reportedly arrived at by the party following a series of separate meetings between the Gandhis, Mr Sidhu, and Mr Singh. The Chief Minister had last week said he would accept "whatever decision is taken by the Congress high command".
Two other leaders -- one from the Dalit community and the other, a Hindu face -- were likely to be named Working Presidents, according to the deal.
Hours after Mr Sidhu's meeting with the Gandhis, his supporters even organised "celebrations" in Chandigarh though no announcement was made.
Party sources, however, later said that Mr Singh was not on board with the plan. Speaking to the media, Mr Rawat, who was present in Mr Sidhu's meeting with the Gandhis last week, said he had "never said" Mr Sidhu would be made Punjab Congress chief.
The feud between Mr Singh and Mr Sidhu has been on since the 2017 state elections. Mr Sidhu, who joined the party after a stint in the BJP, hoped to be made Deputy Chief Minister. But the move was reportedly scuttled by Mr Singh.