Chandigarh: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was likely to join the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has reportedly put his decision to join the party on hold, according to media reports.
As per the report, Sidhu, who resigned from the Rajya Sabha as a BJP leader on July 18, was likely to join AAP on August 12. While quitting BJP, he alleged that he was clearly asked to stay away from Punjab, which he cannot even think of doing under any circumstances.
Sidhu’s resignation from the Rajya Sabha and BJP was a setback for the saffron party, which holds an alliance with the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab. While everyone were speculating as to which political party he will join next, Congress too welcomed Sidhu in their party.
AAP national convener Kejriwal had then publicly welcomed Sidhu’s decision to quit Rajya Sabh and expressed his hoped that the latter’s presence could be used to accelerate AAP’s campaign in Punjab.
Sources in AAP told media that Sidhu reportedly asked the AAP high command to name him as party chief ministerial nominee for upcoming Punjab assembly polls and also asked a party ticket for his wife Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu.
The Sidhu's demand to be made the party's chief ministerial nominee in Punjab miffed many, who want him to restrict himself to just party campaigning in the state and join as a 'star campaigner'.
As the logjam continues between the two, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Kejriwal is likely to intervene and take the final call.
