New Delhi, May 23: Following the Congress' dismal performance in Lok Sabha elections 2019, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh trained guns at his Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu. The latter's alleged pro-Pakistan approach has severely hurt the party's poll prospects, the CM said in a press conference on Thursday.

"Indians especially servicemen will not tolerate hugging the Pakistani Army Chief," said Capt Amarinder, a former personnel of the Indian Army. His remarks were in reference to Sidhu's embrace of General Qamar Javed Bajwa during his visit to Islamabad last year for attending Imran Khan's swearing-in ceremony. Elections Results 2019: Priyanka Gandhi Meets Rahul as Congress Stares at Defeat

Rivalry has been brewing between Capt Amarinder and Sidhu since 2017, ever since the Congress stormed to power in Punjab. The two leaders are stated to be in a passive struggle, which came out in the open last week after Sidhu blamed the Chief Minister for denying Lok Sabha ticket from Chandigarh to his wife Navjot Kaur.

Capt Amarinder had retaliated, accusing Sidhu of levelling 'baseless charge' as he allegedly intends to replace him as the state's CM.

"The actions of Sidhu is hurting the party in the state," Capt Amarinder had claimed, after reportedly conveying to the Congress high command over his incompatibility to work with the former cricketer-turned-politician.

As per the leads, the Congress is leading on 50 constituencies, whereas, the combined UPA total is 90. On the other hand, the BJP alone is hovering around the 300-mark, with the NDA cumulatively totalling at 340.

In Punjab, the Congress is leading on 8 out of the 13 constituencies. The BJP and Akali Dal are ahead in 2 each, whereas, AAP's Bhagwant Mann is poised to retain the Sangrur constituency.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 23, 2019 04:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).