Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Ashutosh Bharadwaj
Ahead of crucial Congress meeting in Chandigarh, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday, 18 September stepped down from his post amid calls for leadership change within Punjab Congress. This comes months before the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.
Addressing the media at the Raj Bhavan after tendering his resignation, Singh said that he had conveyed to party president Sonia Gandhi that he felt humiliated.
"I had informed the Congress president today morning that I shall resign. This (a meeting of the MLAs) is happening for the third time in the past few months. The MLAs were called to Delhi the previous two times and this is the third meeting that is being held. I felt that there was an element of doubt upon me that I was not able to run the government or something. But I feel humiliated by the way talks transpired. This happened for the third time, so I decided to resign. They can appoint somebody they trust," Singh said.
After the resignation, Singh reportedly told news agency ANI that Sonia Gandhi said 'I am sorry, Amarinder'.
He also cleared the air on reports of him resigning from the Congress and said said that he is very much a part of the party and will consult his supporters for the future course of action.
On being asked by ANI about his future plans and whether he is in talks with BJP, Singh said: "No talks with anyone, just submitted my resignation to Governor today."
The resignation comes just before a Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meet is scheduled to be held at the party office in Chandigarh with the party's Punjab observers Harsh Rawat, Ajay Maken and Harish Chaudhary in attendance.
Amarinder Singh’s media advisor Raveen Thukral also quoted Singh in a tweet and said:
"Fail to understand Congress’ decision. We won all polls in Punjab since 2017. People were clearly happy with my govt. But party leaders have cut their nose to spite their face, and ended up from a winning to a losing position."
Sonia to Appoint New Punjab CM
The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meet held soon after Singh's resignation passed a resolution saying that the new chief minister will be appointed by party president Sonia Gandhi.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Friday had received representation from a large number of Punjab MLAs to convene the meeting.
Singh earlier held a separate meeting meeting with party MLAs loyal to him at his official residence in Chandigarh ahead of his resignation.
Sunil Jakhar Hails Rahul for 'Resolving' Issue
Earlier, Punjab Congress leader Sunil Jakhar took to Twitter to hail party leader Rahul Gandhi for solving the "Gordian knot".
"Kudos to Shri Rahul Gandhi for adopting Alexandrian solution to this Punjabi version of Gordian knot. Surprisingly, this bold leadership decision to resolve Punjab Congress imbroglio has not only enthralled Congress workers, but has sent shudders down the spines of Akalis," he tweeted.
Along with Jakhar, Sidhu and party leader Ambika Soni are said to be the front runners for the CM post in case of Singh's ouster.
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