A day after Rahul Gandhi denied there was a meeting scheduled between him and Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, the firebrand cricketer-turned-politician on Thursday met Rahul's sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in Delhi.
Sidhu tweeted a photograph of himself with Priyanka Gandhi and wrote, "Had a long meeting with @priyankagandhi Ji."
In recent weeks, the Punjab Congress unit has been in turmoil as criticism of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has grown among his detractors. While Amarinder has sought to pacify many rivals in the party, Sidhu has openly criticised the chief minister. Reports claim Sidhu had made it clear to the Congress that he would not work under Amarinder and was coveting the post of Punjab party unit chief.
The Tribune reported, "Priyanka left for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s house in the middle of her meeting with Sidhu and then returned home where she was still with Sidhu." The Indian Express reported the meeting between Sidhu and Priyanka lasted three hours. There is speculation that Sidhu could still meet with Rahul.
After the meeting with Sidhu, Priyanka went to 10 Janpath, the residence of her mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, ANI reported.
Sidhu has been considered close to Rahul and Priyanka, who value his capacity as a crowd puller and orator.
Rahul and Priyanka have been attempting to ensure unity in the Punjab Congress unit as the state, one of the handful ruled by the party, is due to go to polls early next year.
Rahul Gandhi has been meeting party leaders from Punjab for their views on the political situation and steps needed to strengthen the party ahead of the 2022 Assembly polls.
Sidhu, who had resigned from the Punjab Cabinet after he was divested of the local bodies portfolio in 2019, has been at loggerheads with Amarinder. He has attacked the chief minister over the alleged delay in ensuring justice in the 2015 incidents of sacrilege and subsequent police firing.
