Punjab Congress tussle: Amarinder meets Rawat, Sidhu calls on Jakhar | India News

NEW DELHI: Amid escalating tensions in the Punjab Congress unit, state party in charge Harish Rawat on Saturday called on chief minister Amarinder Singh at his residence in Chandigarh.
The meeting comes amid speculations that Sidhu would be appointed as state Congress head despite Amarinder’s misgivings.
Rawat reached Chandigarh in a chopper around 12 noon and went straight to the chief minister’s farm house in Mohali.
After the meeting, Amarinder said that any decision taken by interim party chief Sonia Gandhi will be acceptable to everyone.
“Had a fruitful meeting with @harishrawatcmuk. Reiterated that any decision of @INCIndia Presìdent will be acceptable to all. Raised certain issues which he said he’ll take up with @INCIndia president,” his media adviser tweeted.

Hectic negotiations are under way in Punjab to quell tensions between Navjot Singh Sidhu and Amarinder.
Sources said that Amarinder is unhappy about the possible elevation of Sidhu as the Punjab Congress chief and had written a letter to Sonia about it.
In his letter, Amarinder said that he will not contest elections if Navjot Singh Sidhu is elevated to the top organizational post in the state, sources said.
Meanwhile, earlier today, Sidhu met Punjab Pradesh Congress committee chief Sunil Jakhar.
After the meeting, which lasted more than half-an-hour, Sidhu said Jakhar is his elder brother and a guiding force. Jakhar, in turn, described Sidhu as a capable man.
On Friday, Harish Rawat and Sidhu had met Sonia and Rahul Gandhi but the meeting ended early.
After the meeting Harish Rawat said, “I have submitted a note to the party president and as she decides it will be made public.”
When asked if Sidhu will be made party president, Rawat responded: “Who said Sidhu will be made party president”?
Rawat has maintained that the central leadership is working out a peace formula where both leaders could work together to help the party win the Punjab assembly polls next year.
Party sources said the Congress is considering appointing a Dalit and an upper caste Hindu as the working presidents. But, Amarinder Singh’s unhappiness has compelled the party to think otherwise.
(With inputs from agencies)