Punjab Crisis highlights: Captain Amarinder Singh retaliates after Rawat jibe, says ‘world saw humiliation’

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi. Sources said that the farmers' issue is learnt to have been discussed during the meeting. After quitting the post of Punjab Congress chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu met with Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Chani and he is likely to stay on as state unit chief. Meanwhile, former CM Amarinder Singh said he will not join BJP but he will not stay with Congress as he cannot bear the "insult".

Just as Congress saw a ray of hope in CM Channi, things tumbled out of control, says Salman Khurshid

With P Chidambaram expressing helplessness over lack of "meaningful conversations" within the Congress, party colleague Salman Khurshid on Friday said he had hoped the discussions the former finance minister speaks of might have been led by him and called for a dialogue between the leaders of the party.

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SAD targets Congress govt in Punjab over delay in paddy procurement

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday alleged that the Congress government in Punjab had got the procurement of paddy postponed by 10 days to hide its failure in making necessary arrangements.

Badal said the delay in paddy procurement which was to start on Friday is unprecedented and "will spell doom for the state's economy".

The Centre on Thursday postponed procurement of Kharif paddy in Punjab and Haryana till October 11 as the crop maturity is delayed owing to recent heavy rains. It also said the moisture content in the fresh arrival at present is beyond permissible limit.

(PTI)

'Proximity' with Amit Shah puts question mark on Amarinder Singh's secular credentials: Harish Rawat

Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat on Friday said Amarinder Singh's "proximity" with BJP leaders like Amit Shah puts a question mark on his secular credentials and warned the Centre not to attempt toppling a majority government in the state.

Alleging that the former Punjab chief minister was playing into the hands of people with whom he had no ideological ties, Rawat said Singh should have stood with the Congress leadership to save democracy.

"His proximity with (Union home minister) Amit Shah and some other BJP leaders puts his secular credentials in doubt," he said at a press conference.

(PTI)

Talk more in private, less in public, Congress to it leaders

Punjab Congress in-charge Harish Rawat on Friday said Amarinder Singh's "proximity" with BJP leaders like Amit Shah puts a question mark on his secular credentials and warned the Centre not to attempt toppling a majority government in the state.

Alleging that the former Punjab chief minister was playing into the hands of people with whom he had no ideological ties, Rawat said Singh should have stood with the Congress leadership to save democracy.

Singh, who resigned from the top post in the state last month, had met Shah in Delhi on Wednesday and had said that he discussed the prolonged farmers stir against three agri laws with the Union home minister.

(PTI)

Kanhaiya like another Sidhu who would destroy Congress: RJD

Bihar's main opposition party RJD on Friday mocked Kanhaiya Kumar's induction into the Congress, saying that the former JNU student is like "another Navjot Singh Sidhu" who would "destroy" the grand old party.

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Entire focus on Uttarakhand assembly polls: Congress’ Punjab in-charge Harish Rawat

Congress general secretary in-charge of party affairs in Punjab Harish Rawat on Friday said his entire focus is on the forthcoming Assembly elections in Uttarakhand.

When asked by reporters whether he would resign as the in-charge of the party in Punjab, Rawat evaded a direct reply saying his total focus is on the upcoming elections in Uttarakhand.

Assembly elections in the state are due early next year.

Rawat said he is honestly performing the task assigned to him by the party high command. Besides being the party’s in-charge for Punjab, Rawat also heads the party campaign committee in poll-bound Uttarakhand.

I also requested to the PM that the Kartarpur Corridor, which was closed due to Covid-19 pandemic, should be reopened at the earliest: Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi after meeting PM Narendra Modi in Delhi

Although it was a courtesy call, I've shared 3 issues with him. Firstly, procurement season usually begins in Punjab on 1st Oct but this year Centre has decided to begin it on 10th Oct. I've requested him to start procurement now: Punjab CM Channi

I asked the PM to resolve the matter of farmers' protest and resume dialogue with the protesting farmers. I demanded that the three laws should be withdrawn: Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi after meeting PM Modi in Delhi

Why did Congress let Sidhu undermine my authority? asks Amarinder Singh

If the party didn't intend to humiliate me then why was Navjot Singh Sidhu allowed to openly criticise & attack me on social media & other public platforms for months? Why did the party give the rebels, led by Sidhu, a free hand in undermining my authority?: Captain Amarinder Singh

The world saw the humiliation and the insult heaped on me, and yet (Harish) Rawat is making claims to the contrary. If this was not humiliation then what was it?: Former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh

(ANI)

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This is Channi's first meeting with Modi after becoming chief minister. Sources said that the farmers' issue is learnt to have been discussed during the meeting.

Farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting at Delhi's borders against three farm laws since November last year and have been demanding the legislations be repealed.

The delay in the paddy procurement was also on the agenda, the sources said.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi arrives at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg to meet PM Modi

Statement of Harish Rawat on Captain Amarinder Singh's claim that he was humiliated

Before choosing a new CLP leader a unanimous resolution was passed by all MLAs, (78 were present out of total 80 Congress MLAs) praising Captain Amarinder Singh and thanking him for giving leadership to the state Congress as well as to the Congress legislative party as a chief minister. How does these sequence of events suggest that anybody intended to humiliate him? No humiliation was done to him.

In a democratic party, all the democratic procedures were followed, and the party chose a Chief Minister who comes from a humble background. It was expected from Captain Amarinder Singh to bless him and for that purpose I tried thrice to meet him, even I used the services of some our common friends also for meeting him at his residence, but he denied meeting me. The newly appointed chief minister also asked for his blessing, and he said that he will call him for lunch or tea, but nothing has happened. The chief minister had many times tried to contact him. After meeting Hon'ble Amit Shah and BJP’s contact man, the theory of humiliation is being circulated to gain the sympathy of the people. The humiliation-based sympathy politics may help a person, but it will not help Punjab. Captain Amarinder was controlling both the government and the party from his farmhouse (home). No one asks him a question regarding his absence from the secretariat, visits in the districts etc.

For stability, Congress has a massive majority in the assembly and with Sh. Charanjit Singh Channi as the Chief Minister. The Congress Government is strong in its resolve and capable of fulfilling hopes and aspirations of the people of Punjab. We assure the people of Punjab that Governance has started to change for the better, and the best will be seen in the coming few weeks.

Statement of Harish Rawat on Captain Amarinder Singh's claim that he was humiliated

All sections of the Congress party were invited for their suggestions. After prolonged discussions, the Chief Minister agreed for implementing 18 points (which included Bargadi issue, drugs issue, power tariff etc.) which were suggested by the panel to the Congress President. In this meeting, overwhelming majority of congress MLAs had very clearly expressed their dissatisfaction on the style of functioning by Captain Amrinder Singh administration and quite a good no of MLAs suggested for his immediate replacement.

Captain Amarinder Singh did not implement even one out of these eighteen points. Then again, the panel called Captain Amarinder Singh and had a discussion. A time bound implementation course was discussed and mutually agreed. But after going back to Chandigarh, again Captain Amarinder Singh forgot about his promises to the panel and to the Congress President.

Born out of his stubbornness, he was of the belief that he does not need any advice from anyone, including his own MLAs and Ministers and party leadership. However, again I went to Captain Amarinder Singh at his house and had a lengthy discussion with him along with his officials. We came down to five points which he promised to implement within next 10 days. After this, 20 days passed, and we didn't hear anything from him. The Congress MLAs and Ministers were getting restless.

As a result, in a written letter to the Party leadership, 43 MLAs told the party, that despite repeated efforts we could not get anything done by Captain Amarinder Singh, so please call a CLP meeting otherwise we are going to call a separate meeting. Then I tried to contact Amarinder Singh ji thrice, but I could not get him on telephone. Then through one of his well-wishers I sent him a message that there is a demand for CLP meeting, and we have no option but to call the CLP meeting. Despite getting the message, Captain Amarinder Singh didn't bother to telephone me. Then I suggested to the party high command, that if we delay the matter then many MLAs may form a sperate group or may create some more problem for the party. It was then decided to call a CLP meeting. I then officially informed Captain Amarinder Singh that party has called a CLP meeting and requested him to attend the meeting.

In response, the Chief Minister called a separate meeting at his residence on the same day when the CLP meeting was called. Before that, the Congress President also spoke to Captain Amarinder Singh about the complaints signed by 43 MLAs and the CLP meeting. Captain Amarinder Singh himself offered to resign and when he resigned there was no other option than choosing a new CLP leader.

'Congress has held Amarinder Singh in high esteem': Harish Rawat on ex-CM's 'humiliated' comment

Reacting to former Punjab Chief Minister's Amarinder Singh's comment that he 'was humiliated', the Congress on Friday said that the party has held him and his family in high esteem.

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Statement of Harish Rawat on Captain Amarinder Singh's claim that he was humiliated

Congress has always kept Captain Amarinder Singh and his family in high esteem. Even after suffering a crushing defeat from Patiala Constituency in 1998, he was inducted into the Congress Party and immediately appointed by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee on three occasions from 1999 to 2002, 2010 to 2013 and 2015 to 2017. Twice, the Congress Party made him the Chief Minister of Punjab from 2002 to 2007 and 2017 to 2021. As the Chief Minister, he was given a complete free hand.

Despite continuous reminders from his colleagues and the leadership, unfortunately, Captain Amarinder failed to keep his promises on important issues like Bargadi, drugs, electricity etc. There was a general perception throughout the state that Captain and the Badals are helping each other, and they have a secret understanding. I was always politely suggesting him to initiate action on our election promises. At least five times I discussed these issues with Captain sahib but with no result.

The whole Bargadi issue was mishandled by trusted lieutenants of Captain Amarinder Singh. In cabinet meetings there were heated discussion on this issue and later, many prominent ministers came to Delhi with a complaint that now with Captain Amarinder Singh at the helm of affairs, Congress can't win the elections.

For finding a solution, the Congress high command formed a three-member panel under the chairmanship of veteran congress leader Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge. This panel heard as many as more than 150 prominent leaders, including MLAs, MPs, Ex-MLAs, Ex-MPs, PCC President, Ex-PCC Presidents, Youth Congress, NSUI, Mahilla Congress, sewa dal leaders etc.

Despite continuous reminders from his colleagues & the leadership, unfortunately, Captain Amarinder failed to keep his promises on important issues like Bargadi, drugs, electricity etc. At least 5 times, I discussed these issues with Captain sahib but with no result: Harish Rawat

(ANI)

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi to meet PM Modi on October 1

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and is expected to urge him that the Centre withdraws its letter on postponing the paddy procurement in the state from October 1.

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No facts in reports that state Captain Amarinder Singh was insulted by Congress: Rawat

No facts in reports that state Captain Amarinder Singh was insulted by Congress. It appears from Captain's recent statements that he is under some sort of pressure. He should rethink, and not help BJP directly or indirectly, said AICC in-charge of Punjab, Harish Rawat, in Dehradun.

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi will call on PM Narendra Modi in Delhi today. The CM will take up the farmers' issues including the repeal of farm laws and postponement of the paddy procurement date. Reopening of Kartarpur Corridor also on agenda: CMO

Congress leader Hooda expresses concern over multiple desertions

Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday expressed deep concern over recent developments in the party's Punjab unit and multiple desertions, and said the party leadership should hold deliberations on these matters.

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Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh kept up his attack on Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday and said he thinks that the cricketer-turned-politician is undermining Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's authority.

He also said the kind of situation that Sidhu has created was never seen before in Punjab.

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Congress leader Hooda expresses concern over multiple desertions

Senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday expressed deep concern over recent developments in the party's Punjab unit and multiple desertions, and said the party leadership should hold deliberations on these matters.

He said weakening of the Congress is also not in national interest.

"Why are such things happening? The party should do 'manthan'. Efforts should be made to find a solution to these things," said Hooda, who is part of the G-23 group which wrote a letter to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi last year seeking organisational overhaul. (PTI)

Sidhu likely to stay as Punjab Cong chief, party to set up coordination panel

Navjot Singh Sidhu will continue as the Punjab Congress chief and a coordination panel is likely to be set up, which is expected to be consulted before any major decisions by the Punjab government in future, party sources said on Thursday.

The decision was reached after an over two-hour meeting at the Punjab Congress Bhavan between Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Sidhu, who had resigned from the post of the state party chief on Tuesday.

The panel may comprise the CM, Navjot Singh Sidhu and a representative of the AICC, the sources said. (PTI)