Chandigarh
With the Lok Sabha election results out, the Punjab Congress is all set to initiate action against minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his “friendly match” jibe at Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh while campaigning in Bathinda.

The Chief Minister’s Office is preparing a dossier on the functioning of the Local Bodies Department headed by Sidhu. Capt Amarinder, who has already hinted at changing Sidhu’s portfolio, would be in Delhi tomorrow to attend Congress’ Central Working Committee meeting where he will raise the issue. Sources said the Congress would look into the matter after a stock-taking of the party’s poll performance.

Sources said the CM would cite Sidhu’s “inability” to handle the department leading to the party’s poor performance in urban areas as the reason for his decision to divest Sidhu of his portfolio. Several MLAs have been complaining of the “slow pace” of works undertaken by the department.

There’s been no word from Sidhu on the matter, but his wife Dr Navjot Kaur told a TV channel that they were ready with a report card. She claimed it was owing to Sidhu’s rallies that the victory margin of Harsimrat Badal from Bathinda had come down drastically and saved the Congress of the ignominy of a crushing defeat.

Capt Amarinder, Congress sources say, cannot be ignored when he seeks punitive action against Sidhu because Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the only face-savers for the Congress. Sidhu is believed to be close to AICC president Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. “Something will have to be done,” said a top source. Some leaders feel Sidhu should quit on his own.

6

Capt thanks people for party victory in state

Two days after the Lok Sabha elections results, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday expressed his gratitude to the people of the state for reposing faith in the Congress party.

“I express my gratitude to all workers for their support & hardwork which led to such a good showing in the Lok Sabha polls. Thank you, Punjab for placing your trust in us! I reiterate my commitment to making Punjab #1 again.

Punjab’s ruling Congress won eight of the 13 Lok Sabha seats, one of the few states where it did well, while the BJP and its ally SAD bagged two seats each. Bhagwant Mann was the only Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate to win the elections.