The political potboiler in Punjab refuses to settle with the state Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu continued to attack his own party’s government, especially those “holding the reins of power”.
A day after he expressed “helplessness” even in the appointment of office bearers in the state despite being Punjab Congress president, Sidhu on Sunday went on to declare that he will not just be anyone’s “pawn or showpiece”.
“In politics, a good man is made a show piece. He is used as a pawn to win the election. After all the campaigning and winning elections, he is kept aside as a showpiece. Now, I will not be anyone's showpiece or pawn,” said Sidhu while answering the people’s questions in the ‘Bolda Punjab’ programme at Chandigarh’s Law Auditorium.
Sidhu’s statement assumed significance as it came a day after he, during a rally in Baba Bakala, admitted that he did not enjoy administrative power and could not even appoint anyone as general secretary or on other posts.
At the same time, Sidhu declared that he would always stay with the Gandhi siblings—Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. “Both Priyanka and Rahul are family members. I can't leave them. I will perform the duty which they will give. But in case, after the elections, the present situation remains the same...Even after the formation of the Congress Government, if there is no change, then I will not take the responsibility...I will leave,” he said, in response to a question.
However, Sidhu did not make it clear whether he would step down as the party president, leave the party, or Rahul and Priyanka.
“After being elected and forming the government, if sand continues to be sold at the same rate, liquor is also expensive, if gurbani would also be broadcast on the same one channel, then Sidhu will not take responsibility. Sidhu would die but will not cheat the people,” he said. In fact, Sidhu also gave enough indications to the party high command that in case he was not made the Congress’ chief ministerial candidate, he would not just be the “darshani ghoda” (a decorated horse). Sidhu also pointed, “Punjab has the last chance. Considering the state's financial condition, if any ‘good person’ did not occupy the top of the pyramid (referring to the Chief Minister's chair), there would be complete anarchy. And if the command is handed over to someone honest, the entire picture will change...Because I am not thinking about 2022, but ahead of that.”
“This time, the one having character, morality, and ishq (love) with Punjab will win in the elections,” he said.
Also taking a dig at Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Sidhu said that he would not lie to win the election, “like Kejriwal”.
“Punjab’s total budget is Rs 1.40 lakh crore, while Kejriwal has made announcements of Rs 1.10 lakh crore,” he said.
In a veiled attack on Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi along with Kejriwal, Sidhu said that there was competition for announcements, “but the solution to the problems has to be from the economic situation itself”.
“Kejriwal talks about Delhi model, announces to give Rs 1000 to women. Why didn't he do this in Delhi? When Kejriwal took over the government of Delhi in 2013, the posts of 7000 government teachers were vacant. Today, there are 19000,” he said.
“The farmers from Punjab taught farming to the whole country...Today a person from Delhi will teach Punjabis?” quipped Sidhu.
Sidhu also took a jibe at Kejriwal for calling Channi as “fake Kejriwal”.
“Kejriwal says that fake Kejriwal is roaming in Punjab. I say fake Navjot Singh Sidhu is roaming in Punjab,” he said.
Without naming anyone, Sidhu said: “Putting photographs on boards does not win elections.”
He added that the justice of the sacrilege is not done by the court, but people have to do it. “The justice of the sacrilege is not done by the court but by the people. The court will do justice only where the evidence is presented before it. Real justice will be done in the people's court,” he said.