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Rajmeet Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 20
Post formal acceptance of resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu as a Cabinet minister by the Chief Minister and Governor, political future of the cricket-turned-politician in Punjab Congress seems to be at the crossroads.
From vertical rise in the grand old party by becoming a Cabinet minister within months of joining it, Sidhu’s march to become a parallel power centre in Punjab Congress ended abruptly when he got entangled in a fight with the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
Recent developments in the party, in the run-up to Sidhus’ resignation, has left party leaders wondering whether it was the end of the road or it signalled a new beginning for him in the party.
A section of party leaders from the Chief Minister’s camp believe that it would be difficult for him to pull on as MLA from Amritsar (East) as his bete noire Capt Amarinder Singh continues to be the leader of the party in Punjab. Initially, those who sided with him against the Chief Minister have cold shouldered him for power and position.
On the other hand, another section of leaders who admire him for his Badals’ bashing strongly feel that being an outspoken leader he would pose a challenge by speaking on public issues in the run-up to the 2022 Assembly elections in Punjab.
Setback for aides
Amritsar: Political associates of Navjot Singh Sidhu are depressed, but haven’t lost all hope. Besides, electorates in his Amritsar (East) Assembly segment fear that the projects inaugurated by him may be abandoned as had happened after he quit the BJP. Sidhu’s aide Shalinder Singh Shelly, councillor from Ward 46, said all councillors of the East segment from where Sidhu was elected had lost the edge. TNS