Navjot Sidhu takes back resignation as Punjab Congress chief but serves ultimatum to his party

New Delhi: Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday said he has taken back his resignation as Punjab Congress chief, over a month after he took the decision to step down from the post.

Making the announcement at a press conference, Sidhu, however, served a new ultimatum to his party. He said he will assume charge the day "when a new Advocate General is appointed".

That could be tough, given that Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has reportedly rejected the resignation of APS Deol, the man Mr Sidhu wants removed as the Advocate General of Punjab.

"I have taken back my resignation," Mr Sidhu told reporters, finally announcing what had been anticipated three weeks ago after his meeting with Rahul Gandhi.

"When a new Advocate General is appointed I will go to the party office and take charge," he added.

Mr Deol had handed over his resignation to the Chief Minister on Monday following repeated attacks from Mr Sidhu, who wants him out for representing two accused cops in a sacrilege and police firing case of 2015.

The state government has yet to clarify whether or not the resignation has been accepted. Sources say Mr Channi has refused to accept it, which has infuriated Mr Sidhu even more.

Mr Deol was counsel for former police chief Sumedh Saini, one of the accused in the case related to the desecration of the Sikh religious text Guru Granth Sahib, and police firing on protesters.

Mr Sidhu resigned in a huff in September over his objections to the appointments made by the man who replaced his rival Amarinder Singh as Chief Minister - Charanjit Singh Channi.

Amarinder Singh was forced to quit in September following months of acrimony with Mr Sidhu. But his exit did not end the infighting in the Punjab Congress.

With the Punjab election just weeks away, Mr Sidhu has not stopped taking swipes at his own government and Mr Channi over a range of subjects.