Finally, Amarinder agrees to attend Sidhu's 'coronation'
Darpan News Desk IANS, 22 Jul, 2021 10:52 AM
Chandigarh, July 22 (IANS) Just a day ahead of his 'coronation', Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday extended an invite to all lawmakers for tea on Friday and then attend the ceremony of the new state Congress team taking charge led by Navjot Singh Sidhu.
"Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh has invited all Punjab Congress MLAs, MPs and senior party functionaries at Punjab Bhawan for tea at 10 a.m. on Friday. They will all then go to Punjab Congress Bhawan together from there for the installation of the new PPCC team," Chief Minister's Media Advisor Raveen Thukral informed in a tweet.
Sidhu sent an invite, signed by some 62 legislators, through working presidents, Kuljit Singh Nagra and Sangat Singh Gilzian, to the 'sulking' Chief Minister to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Earlier, the camp of the Chief Minister was adamant on its demand that Sidhu should first apologise publicly over his purported remarks against the government over the power crisis and the sacrilege issue and then he would meet him.
In a first show of solidarity and strength, Sidhu, accompanying 62 legislators, comprising four Cabinet ministers, on Wednesday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
However, the Chief Minister and his close confidants were absent from Sidhu's maiden visit to his constituency Amritsar (East) and religious places there.
That was Sidhu's first visit to Amritsar after being appointed to the post by Congress President Sonia Gandhi on July 18, ending days of hectic lobbying and parleys within the Congress in Punjab.
Four ministers -- Sukhjinder Randhawa, Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Charanjit Channi -- were among those 62 legislators who signed the letter, urging the Chief Minister to attend the installation ceremony of the new party chief and four working presidents -- Sangat Singh Gilzian, Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Kuljit Singh Nagra and Pawan Goel.
Sidhu will be replacing outgoing President Sunil Jakhar, a prominent Hindu face who was at the helm for over four years.
Toughening his stance, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had earlier clarified that he won't meet Sidhu till he publicly apologised to him.
"CM won't meet Navjot Singh Sidhu till he publicly apologises for his personally derogatory social media attacks against him," Chief Minister's media advisor Raveen Thukral had said.
Cabinet Minister Brahm Mohindra had also ruled out a personal meeting with Sidhu till he resolves his issues with the Chief Minister.
In a statement, Mohindra had said the decision to appoint Sidhu had been taken by the high command and was welcome.
"However, I will not meet him (Sidhu) till he meets the Chief Minister and resolves his issues with him," Mohindra had said, adding Amarinder Singh was the leader of the Congress Legislature Party and all were duty-bound to follow him.
On the occasion of Bhagat Kabir Ji Jayanti, the Chief Minister also announced that his government will soon disburse Rs 560 crore to the landless farm labourers under the Debt Waiver Scheme.
Custom officials at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here have seized 80 iPhones from two passengers arriving from Sharjah. They found the iPhones worth over Rs 1 crore while checking the luggage of the two passengers who had arrived by flight G9-458 on Wednesday.
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday approved Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL) to operate the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport in the adjoining Thane-Raigad region, an official said here.
The session ensued a detailed discussion about the rising air pollution as well as the steps that need to be taken up by authorities as well as the community to manage the deteriorating air quality.
After Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met the party panel on the state in the national capital on Tuesday, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has stepped in to defuse the tension in the state unit. Gandhi has given utmost importance to the state, meeting stake holders who have sought time from him, said sources.
The Delhi police have arrested two men for breaking into a bank in Shahdara area and fleeing with nearly Rs 55 lakh, officials said. Police have also recovered hammer, chisel, and helmets from their possession.
