Sidhu’s role can’t be overlooked, admit Cong leaders

Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 6

Nearly four months after his unceremonious exit from the Cabinet and attempts to push him to political oblivion, Navjot Singh Sidhu found support and praise from some of his “old friends” in the party.

Cooperatives Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and MLA Pargat Singh came out openly in support of Sidhu, while PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar was subdued while giving him credit for the opening of the corridor. Even as some senior Congress ministers and leaders raked up the issue of Sidhu’s stand of not participating in the special commemorative session of the Vidhan Sabha and seeking permission to go to Pakistan, the leaders spoke of his “contribution” in getting the project through.

CM Capt Amarinder Singh has so far refused to give credit to Sidhu. In fact, the rift between the CM and Sidhu began after the latter went to Pakistan to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan PM Imran Khan, where Sidhu had claimed that Pakistan Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa had reportedly told him of the government proposal to construct the corridor. Sidhu was not present in the House today, and his name or his role over the matter was not mentioned during the session.

Randhawa told The Tribune that he gave credit to Sidhu for the construction of the corridor. “I, however, regret that Sidhu did not attend the session today. I would have loved to take him (Sidhu) along as part of the jatha to Kartarpur, and together we would have thanked Pak PM Imran Khan for fulfilling this long-pending demand of the Sikhs,” he said.

MLA Pargat Singh, who is among the few MLAs believed to be close to Sidhu, said the corridor was possible only because Guru Nanak had so desired. “But Sidhu and Imran Khan have played an important role. I would thank them and anyone else who has played a role in this,” he said. Even Jakhar said the contribution by Sidhu could not be ignored in getting the project through. “He played his part. But it is Baba Nanak who alone should get credit for the corridor,” he was quick to add.