Sidhu’s wife speaks why he left Rajya Sabha and BJP

Chandigarh: Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of Navjot Singh Sidhu today said her husband wanted to work for Punjab, but as BJP was firm to go along with Akalis in Punjab, Sidhu had no option but to resign.

Kaur is BJP MLA from Amritsar in Punjab. She is vocal critic of Akali led government in Punjab, same as her husband. Akali Dal is major partner in Akali – BJP ruling alliance in Punjab. It is facing anti-incumbency. Kaur’s husband Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from Rajya Sabha membership yesterday. There’s buzz that he may join Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Admi Party. However there’s no clarity regarding such move as of now.

Kaur said Navjot Singh Sidhu’s aim is to work for Punjab.

“This was his own decision. His vision and mentality is very clear that he wants to serve Punjab and if you give some other option, he was not ready. Party was very clear that it wants to work with Akalis in Punjab, so in order to serve Punjab, Sidhu had only this option,” she said.

When asked whether she is quitting BJP she replied, “I will speak about myself latter on, first let Sidhu call a press conference and make it clear what he wants to do. As he has resigned from Rajya Sabha, it is clear that he has resigned from BJP. Once he makes his stand clear, I will take decision regarding self.”

When asked whether Sidhu is joining AAP soon, Kaur said, “He has to decide on this, I can’t take a decision from his side. Let it come from his mouth.Let him reply this question. People of Punjab want clear, neat and good governance, whichever party wants to deliver such governance.”

She said Sidhu always wanted to serve Punjab. He wanted BJP to work separately from Akali. But when message was clear that both BJP and Akali would contest jointly, there was no door open for him.

It should be mentioned that Sidhu was denied ticket from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency by BJP in last Lok Sabha polls. He was replaced with Jaitley as BJP candidate. Jailtye couldn’t win. Sidhu was earlier elected from Amritsar thrice for Lok Sabha. Cricketer turn politician who also works in comedy shows on television is popular orator. After he was denied ticket to contest Lok Sabha, Sidhu was waiting for his rehabilitation. Just three months back he was nominated to Rajya Sabha. In recent reshuffle of union ministry, Sidhu was not inducted as Sikh face for which he was hopeful. Instead Sikh MP Ahluwalia was inducted. With Punjab assembly elections scheduled to take place in upcoming months, Sidhu wanted Akalis to taste defeat. Due to BJP’s firm stand to go along with Akalis, Sidhu decided to leave Rajya Sabha membership and thereby his party BJP. DeshGujarat

Sidhu should be persuaded to stay back: Punjab minister

Chandigarh:Punjab minister and BJP MLA Surjit Jyani today said Navjot Singh Sidhu should be persuaded to stay in the party.

“At home, if such a thing happens with a child, elder or a friend, efforts are made (to persuade) and the party will do so. If there is any misunderstanding and displeasure, there are many ways to pacify (him) and it should be done. I will say that Navjot Singh Sidhu should come back to his own home (party),” said the state Health and Family Welfare Minister.

“Efforts should be made to remove his disaffection and he should be persuaded (to take back his decision). He has been with the party for so many years,” he said.

The Fazilka MLA is the first BJP leader who has said Sidhu should be persuaded to re-consider his decision.

Dealing a blow to the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections in Punjab, Sidhu, the Amritsar MP from 2004 to 2014, resigned yesterday from Rajya Sabha three months after his nomination by the Narendra Modi government, fuelling speculations that he, along with his wife Navjot Kaur, a BJP MLA, could join the AAP.

Kaur today told reporters there was no choice before her husband but join the AAP to serve the people of Punjab. PTI