Team News Riveting
New Delhi, June 30
After refusing the meeting yesterday, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi Wednesday evening met cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu.
The Punjab leader had been in the limelight for his simmering difference with Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh that had now spilled out in the open. The internal feud in Punjab Congress had put the high command in a fix that appointed a panel headed by Mallikarjun Kharge to resolve the crises.
A couple of days ago, Singh had come to New Delhi and met the members of the panel. He however did not meet Priyanka and Rahul. Sidhu followed him and his supporters in Chandigarh announced that his meeting with Rahul and Priyanka was fixed for Tuesday.
After failing to get an appointment with Rahul, Sidhu managed to meet Priyanka Vadra Gandhi at her residence today. Sources in Congress said Priyanka left for Rahul Gandhi’s house in the middle of her meeting with Sidhu and then returned home.
It was only after her return, Sidhu meeting with Rahul was arranged. Sources said Priyanka and Rahul had a detailed discussion on the issue before the final call was taken.
Sidhu on Wednesday evening met Rahul Gandhi at the latter’s residence. The meeting lasted for nearly an hour. Sidhu refused to talk to the media. Discussions on what the Congress leadership is likely to offer Sidhu despite Amarinder’s reservations remains on the cards.
The Congress high command is sensitive on the Punjab issue and wants to refuse the crises before the elections due next year. The party has also recalled AICC Punjab panel Chief Mallikarjun Kharge from Bengaluru as it hinted at taking some concrete decision on the matter.