Navjot Singh Sidhu appointed Punjab Congress chief

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was declared the Punjab Congress chief on Sunday after weeks of infighting and in face of strong opposition by Captain Amarinder Singh, in what was seen a snub to the Chief Minister and party veterans. The sign-off from the central leadership came as a group of MPs supporting the Chief Minister sought to meet party chief Sonia Gandhi and put forward their views.  MLA from Amritsar East, Navjot Sidhu replaces Sunil Jakhar.

The party also named four working presidents. They are Urmar MLA Sangat Singh Gilzian, Jandiala legislator Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Fatehgarh Sahib MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra and Pawan Goel from Jaito in Faridkot. The announcement came late Sunday night by AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal. The appointments spell a setback for Capt Amarinder who had put up a stiff resistance to Sidhu’s elevation, urging Congress president Sonia Gandhi to make Sidhu either the campaign committee chairman or a prominent minister, even Deputy CM.