'Rule of thieves' in Punjab: Cong leader Navjot Sidhu
Chandigarh, Jan 21: Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday attacked the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab, saying there is a "rule of thieves" in the state.
Sidhu at a rally in Moga district also dared Chief Minister Mann to a debate on issues related to Punjab such as the state's debt.
This was his fourth "Jittega Punjab, Jittegi Congress" rally. He has held two rallies in Bathinda and one in Hoshiarpur.
Earlier, many Congress leaders had sought action against Sidhu for holding individual rallies without consulting the Congress' Punjab unit leadership.
Congress' Moga in-charge Malvika Sood, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Punjab assembly polls from the Moga seat, had also asked party workers not to attend the rally.
Targeting the Mann government, Sidhu said "'Choran da tantar' (a rule of thieves) is going on in Punjab" and dared the chief minister for the debate.
"If Sidhu loses (in the debate), he will quit politics permanently," Sidhu said at the rally organised by Congress' former Moga district president Maheshinder Singh.
"Do you have the courage? Sidhu says you are a 'chor' (thief) and your ministers are thieves," he said as he attacked the Punjab government over several issues, including the debt of the state and the law and order situation.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Congress issued a show cause notice to Maheshinder Singh and his son for not informing the local leadership about rally and submit a reply within two days, failing which they will face disciplinary action.
The notice was issued after Sood lodged a complaint against them for not informing local leaders about the rally and not holding discussions with her.
Raising issues related to law and order, Sidhu also asked is anybody feeling safe in Punjab. "People want peace in the state. Businessmen are moving out to other states," he said.
"Who will repay the debt? A debt of Rs 70,000 crore has been raised. You are running the state with a debt of Rs 90 crore per day. Have some shame," Sidhu said. Punjab's per capita income was just Rs 1.80 lakh as against the country's average per capita income of Rs 6.95 lakh, he claimed.
A few days ago, Mann had taken a swipe at Sidhu for targeting the AAP government over the state debt issue and also dubbed him as a "fugitive", saying he ran away from discharging duty when he was offered the charge of power minister.
"He (Sidhu) has studied in big schools. Please bring complete data. Little knowledge is too dangerous," Mann had told Sidhu, asking him to verify his facts before giving any statement.
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Siddaramaiah, I will abide by Cong high command decision on leadership isssue, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision takeb by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
Speaking to reporters after returning from Delhi, the Congress state president said, he has full faith in the party leadership and that it would take an approapriate decision at the appropriate time.
The remarks comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in the Karnataka are announced.
"I will not speak about political issues before the media. I have already said that when the time comes you will get to know. So I will not tell you," Shivakumar said in response to a question on discussions with the Congress high command during his Delhi visit over the last couple of days.
He asserted that there are no issues within the party, and whatever has been already decided will take place accordingly.
Responding to a question on senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi's reported statement about internal differences, the Deputy CM said, "nothing like that, they (high command) will do what they have to do at the appropriate time."
"There are no issues, we have faith in our party, they will do what they have to," he added.
Asked about the issue of leadership change as the government is about to complete three years in office, Shivakumar said, "... I have never discussed this issue. The CM and I have both said that we will accept whatever and whenever the high command decides, and we will abide by it."
He declined to comment when asked whether any "good news" can be expected by his birthday on May 15.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
Responding to a question on the BJP's criticism against the Congress government over its decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, alleging injustice to several communities and questioning its intent behind the revised quota formula, Shivakumar said the BJP could not do anything on internal reservation while in power, but the Congress has kept its promise.
"We have found a solution and tried to do justice to all sections among SCs. We have fulfilled the promise made and every one should go together," he said.
Shivakumar warned his party workers against erecting flex banners for his birthday on May 15.
"For May 15, I want to tell everyone that no one should put up flex banners or advertisements for my birthday. If flex are installed I will ensure that cases are registered by authorities against those responsible, whether they are party workers or followers....no one should put such things on roads, this is my personal request," he said, adding that he has asked commissioners of the city corporations to register cases and impose heavy fines.
