Receptive, no arrogance, Sidhu praises CM Mann

After meeting Mann at the secretariat Monday, Sidhu termed the 50-minute meeting as “very positive” and Mann as “very receptive and down to earth CM”.

“I haven’t met such a receptive CM. He was ready to listen and was very receptive,” said Sidhu, adding that he raised issues for Punjab’s betterment and for raising resources for the government.

Sidhu told reporters that he also raised the issue of plugging pilferage of excise duty and set up a state-owned liquor corporation.
The former Congress legislator suggested Mann that money to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore could be generated from the liquor sector.

“When you fix the rate of sand, everything will be set right. There is nothing called the sand mafia, it is the transport mafia,” said Sidhu.

Saying the he was hopeful that AAP government led by Mann will break the monopoly in various sectors, which will help a massive increase in state’s revenue, Sidhu added: “Je karu taan jai jai kaar, nahi taan Sidhu pehredaar (If Mann is able to do it, there will be accolades, else Sidhu will continue to be a watchman).”

The meeting between the two, meanwhile, drew sharp reactions from both AAP and the opposition camps.

Before Sidhu walked in to meet Mann, Cabinet minister Laljit Singh Bhullar hit out at Sidhu calling him a “spent force” and a “rejected leader”

In a video message, Bhullar said: “See how large-hearted our CM Bhagwant Mann is. During the tenure of Congress and Akali Dal, their MLAs, ministers, other big leaders would not get time to meet the CM. Today, Navjot Singh Sidhu is neither a minister, nor an MLA nor an MP. He is a common man, who was defeated, and rejected by the people. Indeed people are proud that AAP is the party of the common people
that our CM gave time to an aam aadmi who lost (the elections) and was rejected by the people.”

Bhullar also made it clear that Sidhu sought time from Mann.

Bhullar stated, “Sidhu is such a person that he just does not think before he speaks. Some Congress leaders are saying that Mann sahib had invited him for talks and some are saying that he had sought time from CM. Some are even saying that appointment was taken through Punjab Governor, who had in turn written to Mann for the appointment. I do not understand if Congress leaders have any stand.”
Akali Dal hit out at Bhullar for insulting “CM’s guest”.

In a tweet, SAD spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema, wrote, “A meeting is fixed between CM & Navjot Sidhu for 5:30 pm. Before start of meeting Laljit Bhullar has violated protocol & insulted & humiliated Sidhu. @BhagwantMann must clarify that who directed the Minister to insult his guest. He himself or his boss @ArvindKejriwal.”

A Congress leader said, “Sidhu’s meeting with Mann is not being taken kindly by the party…He should have avoided all this. But Sidhu is Sidhu. You really do not know what he will do next. Some leaders had advised him not to meet Mann alone. But he met him alone. And they humiliated him with their minister calling him a rejected leader, just before his meeting with CM.”

The meeting, planned at Chief Minister’s official residence earlier was held at CM office in Punjab Civil Secretariat, where Mann visits rarely. Sidhu reached the Secretariat first and later Mann reached. It has been only a very few times that Mann has gone to his office ever since he has taken over the reins of the state. He prefers to work from his official residence.