Punjab's last chance for resurrection: Navjot Singh Sidhu writes to Sonia Gandhi on 13 issues

Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has written a letter to party president Sonia Gandhi seeking time to present to her a "Punjab Model with a 13-point agenda to be part of the Congress manifesto for the 2022 Assembly Elections". He called it "Punjab's last chance for resurrection and redemption".

He wrote to Sonia Gandhi stating 'priority areas that Punjab government must deliver upon.'

pic.twitter.com/IvOO72wjxe — Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) October 17, 2021

Navjot Singh Sidhu's statement came even as Sonia Gandhi pulled G23 leaders over approaching her through the media. Speaking during a Congress Working Committee meeting on Saturday, the Congress chief said that she appreciated frankness and there was no need to reach out to her through the media.

Sidhu in his letter wrote about Punjab's drug menace, justice in sacrilege cases, agriculture, electricity, Scheduled Caste & Backward Caste welfare, employment, sand mining, among other issues.

The letter to Sonia Gandhi reminded her of the party's 18-point agenda "given to the last chief minister" of Punjab and said that those were "equally relevant today".

"Today, I write to your esteemed self with priority areas among the 18-point agenda of the 2017 campaign and the manifesto promises which the state government must deliver upon," the letter said.

Sidhu then said the people of Punjab demand justice for the 2015 police firing at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in Faridkot following the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib during the previous SAD-BJP regime.

On the drugs issue, the Punjab Congress chief said, "The big fish mentioned in the STF report must be immediately arrested and given exemplary punishment."

He also wrote that the state government must reject the "three black farm laws" of the Centre "by announcing that they will not be implemented in Punjab at any cost".

The state government must release a white paper on power purchase agreements and cancellation of "all faulty PPAs as promised by us", Sidhu said in the letter.

"It might be the last damage-control exercise or else, mafia-raj ruling the state patronized by the Badals will take the state to the extent of financial emergency, corruption and agrarian crisis from which there will be no return.

"Thus, I request you kindly consider these points and give your august direction to the state government to act in the best interests of the people of Punjab immediately," he wrote.

The Punjab Congress chief described the "13-point agenda" as separate from the manifesto by "means of its long-term vision to be implemented over a longer period, crafted through years of consultations with academics, civil society, party workers and feedback from the people of Punjab".

Sidhu had posted his resignation as state unit chief on Twitter on September 28. He was not happy with the appointment of the new Punjab Police chief and the advocate general, besides some portfolio allocations to ministers after the new cabinet formation.

On Friday, Sidhu said his concerns were resolved and the Congress asserted that he would continue as the head of the state unit.

Sidhu had met Rawat and party leader KC Venugopal on Thursday and shared his concerns. Sidhu later said he has full faith and confidence in the party leadership.

AICC general secretary in-charge of Punjab Harish Rawat told reporters that Sidhu has withdrawn his resignation and will continue in his post as the matter of the resignation is now over for the party.

Resolution to the issue came after Sidhu met former party chief Rahul Gandhi at his residence here and raised his concerns.