Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)
New Delhi, Feb 28: Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday finally met with the Congress President Sonia Gandhi after sulking over differences for seven-long months. Following a tiff with Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, Navjot Sidhu (56) skipped the election campaigns in Haryana and Delhi despite being named among star campaigners for the Congress. He also largely stayed away from public events after handing in his resignation from the Punjab cabinet in July last year.
Earlier this week, after an initial meeting Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, he reportedly had a quaint discussion with the Congress chief.
"Met Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Ji on 25 February 2020 for 40 minutes at her residence. The next day (26 February 2020), met the Congress President and the General Secretary at 10 Janpath for more than an hour," Sidhu said in a statement.
"Got a patient hearing and apprised them of the prevailing situation in Punjab along with the road-map to the resurrection and revival of Punjab back to its pristine glory. This road-map I have persisted with a conviction for the past many years in the cabinet and public domain diligently," Sidhu added.
The previous week, Sidhu was spotted at a function in his hometown Amritsar, which also featured his political rivals, including Akali Dal's Bikram Majithia.
The cricketer-turned-politician had quit the Punjab government after his portfolio was changed from local government to power, which he believed was a downgrade.
His differences with party senior Amarinder Singh steadily grew with his acts of defiance; the chief minister complained to the Congress that Sidhu went to Pakistan for Imran Khan's oath ceremony despite his objections.
Sidhu's bonhomie with fellow ex-cricketer Imran Khan became awkward for the Congress, especially when the photos of the politician hugging Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa surfaced.
Recent reports have suggested overtures to Sidhu from parties like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Akali Dal. But the parties have officially denied any talks.