'As asked...': Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns as Punjab Congress chief
In a two-line letter, Punjab Congress President Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday tendered his resignation from his post. He sent the letter to Congress National President Sonia Gandhi. Notably, Gandhi had asked the state presidents of five states to resign after Congress lost in the recently concluded assembly elections. It is believed that Congress and Gandhi didn't like the 'Sidhu model' in Punjab.
Why does this story matter?
Congress suffered a humiliating defeat in the elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur. Ever since Sidhu assumed the post of Punjab Congress President, he has been involved in controversies. He also had conflicts with the former Chief Ministers of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi and Captain Amarinder Singh. Analysts say that it was the infighting in Congress behind its wipeout in Punjab.
Sidhu's resignation letter
Sidhu was appointed to the post eight months ago
Navjot Singh Sidhu was appointed as the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee in July last year. The firebrand leader of the party could not handle the responsibility of the state president even for eight months. In the recent polls, Sidhu contested from the Amritsar East assembly seat. He lost to Aam Aadmi Party's Jeevan Jyot Kaur by a margin of 6,750 votes.
Controversy with former CMs
Sidhu had been involved in a feud with former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh for over two years. Things turned bitter after Sidhu's appointment as Congress' Punjab chief. Ultimately, Amarinder resigned from the position and the party. However, Sidhu did not stop questioning his own party's government in the state. On several occasions, he locked horns with the new CM Charanjit Singh Channi.
Resignations sought to "facilitate reorganization": Congress
According to Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, the chiefs of five states were asked to resign in order to "facilitate the reorganization" of the Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs). Notably, the state chiefs have been blamed for the party's dismal performance.
