Sidhu's TV trouble: Amarinder says may change portfolio

In the wake of the ongoing controversy over Navjot Singh Sidhu expressing his desire to continue to appear in The Kapil Sharma Show, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said that his government is taking legal advice in this regard, adding they may have to change the cricketer-turned-politician’s portfolio if it is not permissible.

"Issue is only on the question that he can continue appearing in the show or not. I don’t have much knowledge of the Constitution. We have asked the attorney general to look into this," said Captain Amarinder.

Meanwhile, he gave credit for the party’s victory in Punjab to election strategist Prashant Kishor.

"Very satisfied with Prashant Kishor and his team of volunteers, they were on ground in more than 1500 villages across Punjab,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Sidhu asserted that he will continue to appear on The Kapil Sharma Show, adding that people should have no problem with how much hours he contributes in office.

“If I work four days a month, 7 pm to 6 am why are people getting stomach ache?” he asked.

He also added that his presence in the TV shows will not affect his Cabinet responsibilities.

Sidhu has been made the minister of tourism and culture and local bodies in the new Congress government-led by Capt Amarinder.

On Tuesday, Sidhu, insisting to participate as a celebrity-judge asserting that it was not office-of-profit.

“An office-of-profit is when the government is paying you money, employing you or giving you remuneration. A government office is an office-of-profit. This is not,” Sidhu had said.

“Sometimes, I work all seven days from early morning till 6 pm. So, what I do after 6 pm is nobody’s business,” he added.

Sidhu, however, did not say much about the Punjab chief minister seeking legal counsel over whether the former can continue working in the entertainment industry as an office-holder.

“The boss is always right,” Sidhu had said.

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Amarinder meets PM, bats for farm loan waiver

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made a strong pitch for a loan waiver for farmers of the state.

Amarinder met the prime minister in his Parliament complex office, first time after becoming the chief minister.

“I mentioned the debt waiver issue to the PM. It was an extension of the demand we made earlier when we had gone to meet the PM as part of a Congress delegation led by party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

“I said the debt loan waiver should be extended to Punjab farmers along the lines of Uttar Pradesh,” Singh told media persons after meeting the PM in New Delhi.

The newly-elected Punjab chief minister is in New Delhi and will meet President Pranab Mukherjee later in the day.

He earlier met Union Finance Minister Arun jaitley to seek financial support for crop procurement.

‘Met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at his residence and asked him for immediate release of CCL for smooth wheat procurement in Punjab,’ he said after the meeting.

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal also accompanied Amarinder during this visit.

“We have sought a support of Rs 20,653 crore on this account. The finance minister was very supportive. We expect wheat to land in mandis in two to three days,” Singh said.

Over who would be the next chief of Punjab Congress, he said, “Let Congress president Sonia Gandhi return. I will request her to choose someone else since I as CM of Punjab cannot handle both the positions.”

With inputs from PTI