Erratic "Thoko Taali" Sidhu spits the dummy; Resigns as Punjab Congress Chief

Punjab Congress chief Navjot Sigh Sidhu announced his resignation from his position on Tuesday. 

Cricketer-turned-comedian-politician put up his resignation letter addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Twitter. 

"The collapse of a man's character stems from the compromise corner. | can never compromise on Punjab's future and the agenda for the welfare of Punjab," his letter to Sonia Gandhi said.

"Therefore, I hereby resign as the President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. Will continue to serve the Congress," he said. 

Former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh,  Sidhu's arch-rival, was among the first to react, with a cheeky: "I told you so".

"I told you so…he is not a stable man and not fit for the border state of Punjab," his tweet said.

Capt Amarinder Singh has had a long-running power tussle with Sidhu, who's generally been seen as vying for the position the former once held.  After he'd resigned, Amarinder had vowed to ensure Sidhu wouldn't become chief minister, calling him a friend of Pakistan and a security threat to the entire country.   

Sidhu meanwhile has refused to talk to anyone, sources say, and is currently holed up at his Patiala residence with only close aides. His recent actions and statements have been childish and very unlike a probable Chief Minister of Punjab.

The hasty exit of Sidhu from the post of Punjab Congress chief just two-and-a-half months into his tenure yet again indicates that his objective was to dethrone Amarinder from the post of CM.

His childish and erratic behavior has proved Captains point that Sidhu is unfit to rule Punjab.

Sidhu is believed to be upset over the recent developments in the state—from the non-inclusion of some Members of Legislative Assembly in the recently-expanded cabinet of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and the appointment of Punjab's new Advocate General, Amar Preet Singh Deol.

The development has put the Congress in a spot. Sidhu had replaced Sunil Jakhar as Congress in June after much power tussle between him and former chief minister Amarinder Singh. Congress leadership was preparing to project Sidhu as the chief ministerial candidate for the 2022 assembly elections before Charanjit Singh Channi was named chief minister after Amarinder Singh resigned in “humiliation” earlier this month.

Sidhu’s resignation comes hours after new ministers in Channi’s cabinet were given portfolios.

The resignation delivers a huge blow to the Congress, leaving it struggling for a face in Punjab ahead of polls, and also calls to question the decisions of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. 

Punjab assembly elections are due early next year.