Will Navjot Singh Sidhu join Aam Aadmi Party? This is what Arvind Kejriwal has to say

Former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Navjot Singh Sidhu has reportedly failed to cut an ice with Aam Aadmi Party leadership over his demand of the party`s chief ministerial candidature in Punjab.

New Delhi: Amid rumours that former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Navjot Singh Sidhu would soon join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the cricketer-turned-politician needs time to think.

The AAP chief further asserted that he had great respect for Sidhu.

In a series of tweets this morning, Kejriwal said Sidhu met him last week, but added that the former MP did not put forth any pre-conditions.

Here are his tweets:

Wud Navjot Sidhu ji join AAP- lot of rumours? Its my duty to put forward our side. We have greatest greatest regard for this ckt legend(1/3)

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 19, 2016

He met me last week. Didn't put any pre-condition. He needs time to think. Lets respect that(2/3)

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 19, 2016

He is a v gud human being n a ckt legend. My respect for him wud continue whether he joins or not(3/3)

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 19, 2016

The AAP had on Thursday said it was Sidhu`s decision to quit the Rajya Sabha and it will be his call to join the Kejriwal-led party.

As per media reports, Sidhu`s joining the Aam Aadmi Party is hanging fire, since the cricketer-turned-politician failed to cut an ice with the AAP leadership over his demand of the party`s chief ministerial candidature in Punjab and a ticket for his wife Navjot Kaur in the upcoming Assembly Elections.

Well-placed AAP sources told ANI that Sidhu wanted the party to project him as the chief ministerial candidate, which was flatly denied.

Further, Sidhu wanted the party`s ticket for his wife as well; to which, the AAP leadership cited the party`s constitution that doesn`t allow more than one member of a family to contest the elections or hold party`s post.

Last month, Sidhu told a press conference that he gave up his Rajya Sabha seat as he was repeatedly asked to stay away from Punjab which he was not prepared to do.

Sidhu, who was not allowed by the Bharatiya Janata Party to contest from Amritsar in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, did not take the name of any political party or leader in his nearly 10-minute media address.

Ever since Sidhu submitted his resignation from the Rajya Sabha on July 18, the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session, there has been intense speculation that he might team up with the AAP, which has emerged as a major player in Punjab ahead of Assembly Elections due next year.