Sidhu in Vaishno Devi performing Akhand Tapasya

Tuesday, 09/07/2019

https://www.brightpunjabexpress.com/index.php/2019/07/08/sidhu-in-vaishno-devi-performing-akhand-tapasya/

Chandigarh : Rebel Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu is reported to be perfoming ‘akhand tapasya’ in the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi for last few days. It is learnt that Sidhu was seen by a number of other devotees performing the ‘tapasya’. There are strict instructions against anyone trying to click his photograph. It is now more than a month since Sidhu was replaced as the Minister for Local Bodies by Brahm Mohindra and was appointed the Minister for Power. Having taken offence over the reshuffle, Sidhu refused to join his new assignment and instead referred the matter to the party high command. The sulking minister was depending on the support of Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi. Since Rahul has already resigned and made it categorically clear that he will not continue as the president, Sidhu has been left to his own fate. It now completely depends on the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh as how he will decide the matter. Otherwise also, it is the Chief Minister who has the final say in deciding the fate of his ministers. Earlier, it was being said that Sidhu, after returning from Vaishno Devi, had closeted himself in his house in Amritsar and he was not meeting anyone. However, later it turned out that Sidhu has been camping permanently in the holy shrine for the time being. With every passing day, the chances of Sidhu joining the new ministry are getting bleak. More so after the Congress general secretary Ahmed Patel failed to prevail upon the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to resolve the matter. Patel had been asked by Rahul Gandhi to discuss the matter with Capt Amarinder, who curtly refused to discuss it when he went to see him (Patel) in Delhi last week. Given the turbulence Congress at the national level is faced with, Sidhu’s issue will be the last on priority. Realising that, he has completely withdrawn himself from the public life for the time being. He has not even tweeted for a long time. Recently senior minister Brahm Mohindra appealed to Sidhu to join his new ministry, which he said was as important as any other ministry. Given the proximity Mohindra enjoys with the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, it is highly unlikely that he may have made this statement without his knowledge. Probably that is the best course available for all concerned. Realising that his circumstances are not the best at this time, Sidhu might be desperately waiting for a face saving. An appeal from the Chief Minister himself may provide him with the much-needed face saving. For the Chief Minister also, this will not mean much. Known for his graciousness and large heartedness, it won’t be surprising if he asks or appeals Sidhu to join, which in all probability he will. In case he still declines, he will lose all the left out public sympathy, which may still be there for him.