Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns from Rajya Sabha amid AAP joining buzz

New Delhi: Former cricketer, comedy show guest, entertaining orator and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Navjot Singh Sidhu has resigned from Rajya Sabha membership. Sidhu’s resignation has been accepted by Rajya Sabha Chairman. Sidhu was elected to Rajya Sabha recently. He was however contrary to his expectations not inducted to union ministry in recent reshuffle as Sikh face. Sidhu was earlier unhappy with party due to lack of rehabilitation after he was asked to not to contest on Amritsar seat to make a way for Arun Jaitley as party candidate. Speculations are rife that he may join Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Admi Party, however there’s no clarity on this as of now. Sidhu’s wife is MLA and she may also quit party to join AAP. If Sidhu actually join AAP as Chief Ministerial candidate, it will be a big gain for AAP ahead of the Punjab assembly elections. Meanwhile Kejriwal is in Amritsar today.DeshGujarat

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Sidhu jolts BJP amidst talk of joining AAP

In a jolt to BJP in Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu today resigned from Rajya Sabha, only about three months after his nomination by the government, as speculation raged that he could join Aam Aadmi Party and be its face in the Assembly polls next year.

The resignation of 52-year-old Sidhu, who was nominated on April 22, has been accepted by Chairman Hamid Ansari with immediate effect, the House was informed today.

While he was not available for comments, there is talk of Sidhu joining the AAP ahead of the state elections and may be made the party’s face in the state. Sidhu did not answer calls made to him.

Top AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Lok Sabha member Bhagwant Singh Mann welcomed Sidhu’s decision to resign from Rajya Sabha but parried questions whether he would join the party and become its CM face.

In a brief statement on his resignation, Sidhu did not reveal much about his future plans but there were indications that he was miffed with the state of affairs in his party.

Today Sardar Navjoyot sidhu has resigned from RS.

“At the behest of the honourable PM, I had accepted the Rajya Sabha nomination for the welfare of punjab.

“With the closure of every window leading to Punjab the purpose stands defeated. It is now a mere burden. I prefer not to carry it.

“In the war of right or wrong, you can’t afford to be neutral rather than being self-centered. Punjab’s interest is paramount,” said the 52-year-old former cricketer-turned politician, who had represented Amritsar in the Lok Sabha between 2004 and 2014.

Sources said that Sidhu has been miffed with the party ever since he made way way for Arun Jaitley in Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

His wife, Navjot Kaur, who is Chief Parliamentary Secretary in Punjab where BJP shares power with Akali Dal, had created a flutter on April 1 (April Fool’s day) announcing her resignation from the BJP.

“The burden is over,” she had written on her Facebook post on April 1, but after a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi, she said, “All is well” and she is very much a part of BJP in Punjab.

Both Sidhu and his wife share an uneasy relationship with the Akali leadership and have made open attacks on Akali Dal and its leadership on governance issues.

With speculation rife over the issue, the AAP said in Chandigarh that it would welcome Sidhu with open arms if he joins the party.

“If he joins our party, we will welcome him with open arms,” the AAP’s Sangrur MP, Bhagwant Mann who is also party’s campaign committee chairman, said.

When asked if Sidhu has approached AAP or vice versa, Mann said that is not the case so far. “He has not got in touch with us nor have we got into touch with him,” he said.

Asked if Sidhu could be made AAP’s Chief Ministerial candidate in case he decides to take the plunge, Mann said, “Whoever joins AAP, he is clearly told that it has to be unconditional.

“Even when I had joined AAP, I had said that I will be happy if I am assigned just the duty of pasting posters of the party. I want to make it clear that there is no race for any post in our party…the CM candidate will be decided by the party,” he said.

“But as party’s campaign committee chairman, I want to say that our doors are open. Sidhu is a good orator with a clean image, who has also remained a star campaigner of his party. May be now, he finds that he does not enjoy that much freedom to express himself (in BJP),” Mann said.

Mann said AAP has promised to give a viable political alternative to the people of Punjab in the 2017 Assembly elections. If people like Sidhu join the AAP it will be good for the party, he said.

He also said, “From time to time, Sidhu’s (MLA) wife (Navjot Kaur) has been raising questions on policies and programmes of the SAD-BJP Government including on the drug issue…”

AAP’s senior leader and party’s Punjab affairs in-charge, Sanjay Singh tweeted, “Navjot Singh Sidhu has taken a brave step by resigning from membership of Rajya Sabha and I welcome his decision.”

To questions on whether Sidhu would be admitted to AAP and be made its CM face, Singh said by his action Sidhu has proved that he is on the side of righteousness and has taken the step in national interest.

“Appropriate decisions” would be taken at the appropriate time,” he said to other queries.

Sidhu’s wife is a BJP MLA from Amritsar-East constituency in Punjab and is known to take on her own government in the State on various issues.

Navjot Sidhu had in the past attacked Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal saying, “Badal Sahib, you promised moon to the people of Amritsar… Don’t deny them basic needs. Don’t abuse the word daughter and sister. I am ready to vacate my seat for your relatives.”

Sidhu was convicted in a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in Patiala and is out on bail.

BJP will continue to function even if Sidhu joins AAP: Sampla

Punjab BJP president Vijay Sampla today said cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu did not take the party into confidence before resigning from Rajya Sabha and asserted the party will not be affected adversely even if he joins AAP.

“They did not (Navjot Singh Sidhu, his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu) inform me about their decision. As far as I know they have not informed about their move to the BJP high-command,” Sampla said.

“They are free to make their decision and they can go wherever they want to,” said Sampla, adding the party had showered them with ‘maan samman’ (respect).

Taking a dig at the former lawmaker, Sampla, who is also a Union minister, said their quitting will have no effect on BJP in poll-bound Punjab.

“There is not going to be any effect on the party. Sidhu did not enter Punjab for four years. Whether the party was not functioning?” he asked.

When asked about speculations that Sidhu may join AAP, Sampla wondered what kind of role he would play in AAP which has even “failed” to fulfil its promises in Delhi.

Sidhu resigned from Rajya Sabha amid speculation that he could join the Aam Aadmi Party.

The resignation of 52-year-old Sidhu, who was nominated on April 22, has been accepted by Chairman Hamid Ansari with immediate effect.

Sidhu set to join AAP; Kejriwal hails his decision to quit RS

Cricketer-turned-BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who quit as Rajya Sabha MP today, is all set to join the AAP which could be a shot in the arm for the party’s prospects in the Punjab Assembly polls slated next year.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hailed Sidhu’s resignation from the Upper House, saying it requires courage to give up a Rajya Sabha membership to “save” his state.

Top AAP sources said the 52-year-old politician will join the party in a few days’ time. There was speculation that Sidhu may be in the race for AAP’s chief ministerial candidate in the state.

“People can give their rt hand for an RS seat. Ever seen a sitting RS MP resigning to save his state? I salute Sidhu ji for his courage,” Kejriwal, who is currently touring Punjab, tweeted.

AAP’s senior leader and party’s Punjab affairs in-charge, Sanjay Singh said “Navjot Singh Sidhu has taken a brave step by resigning from membership of Rajya Sabha and I welcome his decision. The official announcement will be done at the right time.

“In the war between the dharma and adharma, he will come along. It’s a good sign that righteous forces are coming together,” he said, adding that Sidhu and his wife have been consistently raising voice against the drug mafia, about the plight of farmers and other issues concerning the welfare of the people.

Party sources said the parlays with Sidhu, who was also upset with the BJP, were on for the past few months and he will join the party soon.

Sidhu’s wife, who is a BJP MLA from Amritsar (Rural) is also expected to follow suit.

However, the party is still tight-lipped over declaring him as its chief ministerial face.

Sidhu’s decision came on a day when AAP chief Kejriwal is touring Punjab as part of the party’s intense push to capture power in the northern state by defeating the incumbent SAD-BJP alliance and Congress in a triangular contest. He is also expected to join the meet Kejriwal soon. .

The buzz of Sidhu joining the AAP was on after the party won four Lok Sabha seats from Punjab. He was also reportedly upset over the party denying ticket to him from Amritsar. The party, however, tried to pacify him by sending him to Rajya Sabha.

The BJP leader, who was recently nominated to the Upper House, has been at odds with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal was also vocal against his party’s alliance with it.

AAP’s Punjab convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur hailed Sidhu’s decision and said the party was “looking forward” to welcome him.

“Navjot Singh Sidhu is most welcomed to join @AamAadmiParty @sherryontopp @AAPPunjab2017. Appreciate Navjot Sidhu and Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu Move, looking forward for their Welcome to @AAPPunjab2017 @AamAadmiParty @DrDrnavjotsidhu (sic),” he tweeted.

Asked if Sidhu could be made AAP’s CM candidate in case he decides to take the plunge, AAP’s Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann said, “Whoever joins AAP, he is clearly told that it has to be unconditional.”

Sidhu, a former Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar, was convicted in a culpable homicide case in Patiala and is out on bail.

Sidhu quits RS, says can’t be neutral in war of right or wrong

Dealing a blow to BJP in Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu today resigned from Rajya Sabha just three months after his nomination by the Modi government with the Aam Aadmi Party giving indications that he may be made the party’s face in the assembly elections next year.

The resignation of 52-year-old Sidhu, who was nominated on April 22, has been accepted by Chairman Hamid Ansari with immediate effect, the House was informed today.

While he made a brief statement indicating all was not well with him in the BJP, there is talk of Sidhu joining the AAP ahead of the elections.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party’s top leaders lapped up Sidhu’s decision and hailed it as a bold step against corruption in Punjab.

“People can give their rt hand for an RS seat. Ever seen a sitting RS MP resigning to save his state? I salute Sidhu ji for his courage,” Kejriwal, who is currently touring Punjab, tweeted.

Top AAP sources said Sidhu will join the party in a few days’ time. There was speculation that Sidhu may be in the race for AAP’s chief ministerial candidate in the state.

Top AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Lok Sabha member Bhagwant Singh Mann welcomed Sidhu’s decision to resign from Rajya Sabha but parried questions whether he would join the party and become its chief ministerial face.

In a brief statement on his resignation, Sidhu did not reveal much about his future plans but there were indications that he was miffed with the state of affairs in his party.

“At the behest of the honourable PM, I had accepted the Rajya Sabha nomination for the welfare of Punjab.

“With the closure of every window leading to Punjab the purpose stands defeated. It is now a mere burden. I prefer not to carry it.

“In the war of right or wrong, you can’t afford to be neutral rather than being self-centered. Punjab’s interest is paramount,” said the former cricketer-turned politician, who had represented Amritsar in the Lok Sabha between 2004 and 2014.

Sources said Sidhu has been miffed with the party ever since he made way way for Arun Jaitley in Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

His wife, Navjot Kaur, who is Chief Parliamentary Secretary in Punjab where BJP shares power with Akali Dal, had created a flutter on April 1 (April Fool’s day) announcing her resignation from the BJP.

“The burden is over,” she had written on her Facebook post on April 1, but after a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi, she said, “All is well” and she is very much a part of BJP in Punjab.

Both Sidhu and his wife share an uneasy relationship with the Akali leadership and have made open attacks on Akali Dal and its leadership on governance issues.

Resignation of Sidhu to have no impact on poll result: Sukhbir

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said resignation of Navjot Singh Sidhu from Rajya Sabha would have no impact on the SAD-BJP alliance and on the Assembly poll results in the state.

Replying to a question on possibility of the Sidhu couple joining AAP, he said whether they go to Aam Aadmi Party or Khaas Aadmi Party it would have no bearing on the outcome of the results of Assembly polls next year.

Terming Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal “good only for theatrics”, he said the AAP leader didn’t came to Sri Harmandir Sahib for performing sewa but to enact a “mere drama” which is clear to the people.

Sidhu’s resignation does not come as a surprise: Amarinder

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh today said BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation from Rajya Sabha was a “foregone conclusion” as he had been left with “little option”.

“Pushed to the wall by the Akalis and his own party, the BJP, maintaining a conniving silence, Sidhu was left with little option other than resigning,” he said.

“He (Sidhu) may have resigned from Rajya Sabha today, but we all know he had virtually withdrawn from active politics for a long time and was left with only a token presence in the BJP,” he said, adding that hence, his resignation from Rajya Sabha and maybe even from the BJP sooner or later, does not come as a surprise.

The senior Congress leader said given the treatment meted out to him and his wife by the Akalis, the BJP’s alliance partner, Sidhu’s continuance within the party (BJP) defied all logic.

Sidhu today resigned from Rajya Sabha, only about three months after his nomination by the government, amidst speculation that he could join Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and be its face in the 2017 Punjab Assembly polls.

The cricketer-turned-politician and his wife Navjot Kaur, the Chief Parliamentary Secretary in Punjab, shared an uneasy relationship with the Akali leadership and had openly attacked it on governance issues in the past.

Nobody likes ‘Dalbadloo’, Badal on Sidhu

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said “nobody likes Dalbadloo” (turncoat) while reacting to the speculations that cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu along with his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu may join AAP.

However, he refused to comment on the decision of Sidhu who resigned from Rajya Sabha seat.

“This is his (Sidhu) decision what can I say,” Badal told reporters here this evening.

When he was asked that speculations were rife that Sidhu along with his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who is also Chief Parliamentary Secretary in SAD-BJP regime in Punjab, might join Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Badal said, “He joins whichever party. But nobody likes Dalbadloo (turncoat),” said Badal.

In a surprise move, BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu today resigned from Rajya Sabha amid rising speculation that he could join Aam Aadmi Party.

The resignation of 52-year-old Sidhu, who was nominated on April 22, has been accepted by Chairman Hamid Ansari with immediate effect.

PTI