Caught in deep political waters following rift regarding captainship, Punjab Congress’ top leaders — Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and State party president Navjot Singh Sidhu — on Thursday exhorted party’s national vice-president Rahul Gandhi to give the stranded ship a thrust by announcing the Chief Ministerial candidate’s name in a run-up to February 20 elections.
Rahul, who gave a major push to the party’s poll campaign in Punjab with his visit and also addressing a virtual rally, left it on the party workers to decide.
In a clear cut departure from the party’s previous stand to contest polls under “collective leadership”, Rahul Gandhi made it clear that the Congress would soon announce the name of the leader “who will lead the party in Punjab polls”.
“The question here is who will lead the party in Punjab...the media calls this CM candidate...Both Sidhu ji and Channi ji told me in the car that in Punjab, the big question is who will lead Congress in Punjab....It is clear that two persons cannot lead, it has to be any one. Both also assured me...and I am happy...that whoever leads, the other person would support and back him fully,” said Rahul.
“Though we don’t do it (announcing CM face) normally. But if the workers want, Punjab wants...We will decide on it...and for that, we will ask the party workers...
And the right person will take Punjab forward...and all other leaders will fight as one team,” he said, while addressing the party’s first major virtual rally from Jalandhar.
Till now, amidst the battle for one-upmanship, the Congress party has been building up the narrative of fighting polls under collective leadership, while projecting Channi, Sidhu and also former State unit chief Sunil Jakhar as party’s face.
Sidhu, first to address the rally, raised the demand to announce the CM face while making it clear that any decision would be acceptable to him, and requested Rahul to ensure that he should have “power to take decisions...kitte darshini ghoda na bna k rakh deyo”.
Channi, who always expressed his gratitude for elevating him to the Chief Minister’s post, also staked his claim on the seats by seeking “one more chance” after taking into consideration his 111 days performance as the Chief Minister.
Amidst apparent unease between Channi and Sidhu, an effort was made to put up a united show when Channi addressed Sidhu as “vadde veer” (big brother) and hugged him, after inviting him to the dais during his address. “There is no fight between us... People say there is a fight between us...we don’t want people to come from outside (referring to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal) and say that we are fighting among ourselves,” he said.
Earlier, Rahul kick-started his Punjab visit by paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, along with party nominees and senior leaders. He also partake langar by sitting on the floor along with Channi, Sidhu, and other leaders. Rahul offered prayers at Akal Takht - Sikhs’ highest temporal seat - from outside only.
Rahul also visited Durgiana Temple, Ram Tirath, and also Jallianwala Bagh, before addressing a virtual rally at Jalandhar.
