Amritsar, July 10
BJP grapples with Amritsar IT chairman appointment
THE CONTROVERSY over the appointment of Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina as the Amritsar Improvement Trust chairman, followed by hectic lobbying for his removal, has led to sharp polarization in the BJP’s state unit.
The party high command, which heard the 19bbies for and against Chhina in New Delhi, has also failed to resolve the crisis.
Despite notification of his appointment 10 days ago, Chhina has not yet assumed charge.
While the state leadership, including chief Prof Rajinder Bhandari, is backing him; MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and supporters are opposing his appointment.
Sidhu’s detractors today spread a rumour that he had quit as MP for failing to get Chhina removed. Rubbishing it, Sidhu said the matter was in the court of the high command and he expected “full justice”.
Sources said Sidhu had taken a firm stand on the issue, questioning the wisdom of rewarding Chhina despite allegations that he worked against party interests and tried his level best to get Sidhu defeated during the recent Lok Sabha polls.
Sidhu polled 20,000 votes less than congress rival O.P. Soni in the Amritsar (West) segment being nursed by Chhina for BJP.
However, Chhina’s supporters said Sidhu was unnecessarily trying to flare up the issue and it was not possible for the party to remove a person once appointed.
