After one-hour meet, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan resolve ‘differences’

Ruchika M Khanna

Chandigarh, July 19

All is well that ends well! An hour-long meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, held in the presence of senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, here today seems to have thawed their reported frosty relations.

Routine meeting

It was a routine meeting. I learnt that our senior party leader Sanjay Singh was going there, so I too joined them there over a cup of tea and the state’s issues were discussed. — Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker

All issues between the two sides are learnt to have been amicably resolved, sources privy to the meeting have told The Tribune. The two sides reportedly warmed up to each other, accepting that there was a “communication gap”, which would not happen in the future.

During the meeting, held at the CM’s residence this morning, Sanjay Singh is learnt to have encouraged both sides to resolve the differences, especially at a time when the party’s senior leaders are in custody. Since the party is banking on Mann’s winning streak, post his success in the Jalandhar bypoll and his ability to win over the masses, the central party leadership wants to have a united force backing him as it aims to taste success in Haryana elections.

Sandhwan, when contacted by The Tribune, accepted that the meeting was held at the CM’s residence. “It was a routine meeting. I learnt that our senior party leader Sanjay Singh was going there, so I too joined them there over a cup of tea and the state’s issues were discussed,” he said, while maintaining that there were no differences in the party.

This is the second meeting between the two leaders this week, with the first being held in the Speaker’s office after the swearing-in ceremony of Mohinder Bhagat on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting had lasted for an hour, where both leaders shared jokes and laughed heartily.

Today’s meeting, convened a day after Sanjay Singh and the party’s national general secretary organisation Sandeep Pathak came here, gains much significance. This is because of several unsubstantiated reports emerging about a group of MLAs frequently approaching the party high command in Delhi to complain about their inability to meet the CM .

After ensuring win in the Jalandhar bypoll with a thumping majority, CM Mann had said that for the past few months he had been caught up in the election campaign. “I do not believe in having any group. All MLAs are my own colleagues and the doors of my home are always open to them. They can come and discuss issues of their constituencies and how to take the state forward with me any time,” he had said after the bypoll.

Interestingly, post the win at the hustings in Jalandhar West, the CM has been himself asking all MLAs regarding the issues of their constituencies and promised to resolve them.