Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday said Navjot Sidhu’s resignation as PPCC chief within two months of taking over the vital post had proved beyond doubt that the cricketer turned politician was an “unstable” man, who could not be relied upon to lead the ruling party, especially in a border State like Punjab.
Terming Sidhu’s resignation as sheer drama, he said the move suggested that his former Cabinet colleague was preparing the ground to quit the Congress and join hands with someone other party in the run-up to the State Assembly polls. “I had been saying all along that this man is unstable and dangerous, and cannot be entrusted with the task of running Punjab,” said Capt Amarinder, adding that Sidhu had also proved to be absolutely incompetent during his stint as a Minister in his Government.
The former CM said that by resigning within two months of taking over as the PPCC chief, Navjot had once again exhibited his “shifty” character. “I’ve known this boy since his childhood and he has been a loner and can never be a team player,” said Capt Amarinder, recalling how the cricketer had deserted the Indian team in 1996 in England. “That’s what his real character is”, said the former chief minister.
Describing Sidhu as a “flamboyant” speaker, Capt Amarinder said what he speaks in public meetings or rallies may make people laugh but it’s all froth, with no substance. “People don’t vote for buffoonery”, he said, adding that no one takes him (Sidhu) seriously.
Replying to a question that Sidhu was apparently upset with the inclusion of certain ministers in Charanjit Singh Channi’s cabinet, Amarinder said that the PPCC chief apparently wanted to run the government by remote control. “What nonsense is this! Cabinet formation is the prerogative of the chief minister, so why should Sidhu interfere in it,” he quipped. On Sidhu’s claim that he was quitting as the party chief on matters of principle, Amarinder quipped, “what principles is he talking about. He’s only making grounds to quit the Congress. You wait and see, he will join hands with some other party very soon”.