“Punjab CM face should be a Sikh,” Congress MP Ambika Soni declines offer to head state

New Delhi [India], September 19 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni has turned down the offer to be the next Chief Minister of Punjab, a day after Captain Amarinder Singh resigned, stating that she believes that a Sikh should handle the top post.
Speaking to the media persons here on Sunday, the Rajya Sabha member said: “I have declined the offer to be the next Punjab CM. I believe Punjab CM face should be a Sikh.”
“Party’s exercise is going on in Chandigarh with the general secretary and observers are taking views of all MLAs. The announcement will be made today,” Soni said.
The name of Soni came up as she is one of the senior-most leaders of the party, both Captain Amrinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu have much respect for Soni.
Soni has been Rajya Sabha member from the state several times and belongs to the Punjab‘s Hoshiarpur district had met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi late last night and had a meeting again this afternoon with him.
Despite speculation over candidates for the Chief Minister’s post, the final decision will be taken by party high command, sources said.
Presently observers, Ajay Maken, Harish Rawat, Harish Chaudhary and Navjot Singh Sidhu are holding meetings with MLAs at a hotel in Chandigarh.
Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down from the post of Chief Minister on Saturday ahead of the meeting of party legislators in the faction-ridden state unit as the party high command decided to effect a change of guard in the state ahead of assembly polls early next year.
The Congress Legislature Party, earlier on Saturday, unanimously passed a resolution to give Congress chief Sonia Gandhi power to nominate the new Chief Minister of Punjab after Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down. (ANI)

Cong likely to appoint two Deputy CMs along with CM in Punjab: Sources

After Congress MLAs passed a resolution allowing Sonia Gandhi to name Captain Amarinder Singh‘s successor as he stepped down as the Chief Minister of Punjab, sources have indicated that there is a possibility of appointing two Deputy Chief Ministers along with the Chief Minister.

Captain Amarinder Singh resigned as the chief minister of Punjab on Saturday following months of infighting between him and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Sources close to Sidhu said, “Whatever name is agreed for the Chief Minister, it will be accompanied by two deputy Chief Ministers. However, the decisions of Deputy Chief Ministers will depend on who has been named as the Chief Minister.”
This development is witnessed just months before the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections.

MLAs reiterate Cong high command will decide new Punjab CM

Congress MLAs in Punjab reiterated that the decision over the prospective candidate for the post of Punjab CM lies in the hands of the party’s high command.
Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Vaid said: “We are awaiting Sonia Gandhi‘s orders. Immediately after, a decision will be taken in the CLP meeting.”
“Resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh is not a small issue. There is a background and issues behind the resignation of Captain Amarinder Singh. There was dissatisfaction among MLAs irrespective of the work done by Amarinder Singh‘s government,” he told media persons here.
Reacting to the political developments in Punjab, Congress MLA Pargat Singh said: “It all depends on the Congress high command. This is the prerogative of the high command. CLP meeting was held yesterday and a mandate has been given.”
However, both the MLAs refused to comment on the prospective candidate for the post of Punjab CM.
CLP, earlier on Saturday, unanimously passed a resolution to give Congress chief Sonia Gandhi power to nominate the new Chief Minister of Punjab after Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down.
The second resolution passed by the CLP praised Amarinder Singh.
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh stepped down from his post on Saturday ahead of the meeting of party legislators in the faction-ridden state unit as the party high command decided to effect a change of guard in the border state ahead of assembly polls early next year. (ANI)