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poliTiCs

many congress leaders
hope that rahul gandhi
will continue to lead
the party

under Capt Amarinder Singh, the blame game continues with of Gandhi, Priyanka, and senior leader Ahmed Patel. In Harya-
the minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu criticizing the chief minister na, knives are out for state party chief Ashok Tanwar with for-
for losses in Bathinda and Ferozepur where Shiromani Akali mer Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda seeking changes.
Dal nominees, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Sukhbir Singh Badal In Punjab, there is demand for action against the Local Bodies
clinching victories. Capt Amarinder Singh has acted against Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his ‘friendly’ match comment
Sidhu by divesting him of Local Bodies Ministry charge alleging against Capt Amarinder Singh and the latter alleging that Sidhu
that vote share in urban areas had shrunk. Not to be cowed down, was eyeing the CM’s chair. In Maharashtra, senior party leader
Sidhu met Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi and his pictures Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil has hinted at joining the BJP and the
appeared in media, showing a defiant Sidhu. Congress general Karnataka state unit has drawn flak for sidelining seniors.
secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party treasurer Ahmed Earlier, spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi left her party to
Patel were present when Sidhu called on the Congress chief. This join the Shiv Sena. Since there is no clarity on the party presi-
was the first time Gandhi had met a party leader at his house after dent Rahul Gandhi and even party spokespersons have been
the May 25 meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), told to not to give media briefing for some time, nothing can be
where he announced his decision to step down. said about changes in the state units with certainty. Rahul Gan-
Sidhu tweeted “Met the Congress President, handed him my dhi and his future, both as a politician and as the president of
letter, appraised him of the situation !” Sidhu tweeted with a photo Congress party, is uncertain. All eyes, now, are on India’s grand

tehelka / 30 june 2019 15 www.tehelka.com