Navjot Singh Sidhu launches 'Awaaz-e-Punjab' front, reveals why he did not join Kejriwal-led AAP

Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday formally announced a new political front 'Awaaz-e-Punjab', ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections.

Chandigarh: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday formally announced a new political front `Awaaz-e-Punjab`, saying that his fight was against the leaders who had "ruined" Punjab.

The former Rajya Sabha member had on September 2 floated the new political front online to contest all 117 Assembly seats in the elections scheduled to be held early next year.

Addressing the media, Sidhu said the move to launch the new political front was to ensure that people in Punjab and Punjabiat won.

"Our slogan is `Punjab will win` this time. Punjabiat will win. Our fight is against the system that has ruined Punjab. People with selfish interests have overridden interests of the state. People want change in governance," the former Bharatiya Janata Party member said.

Sidhu broke his silence on his talks with the Aam Aadmi Party and said that the AAP leadership, particularly Arvind Kejriwal, were non-committal on his role if he joined ranks with that party.

Sidhu alleged that the AAP leader was speaking half-truth as he told him not to contest polls and only campaign but will make his wife a minister. 

"They (AAP) wanted to make me another decoration piece. Kejriwal told me not to contest and only campaign for the party. I was offered that my wife will be made a minister," Sidhu said.

Launching a scathing attack on Kejriwal, Sidhu said the Delhi CM thinks he is the only honest person. Kejriwal is anarchy in the garb of democracy, he added.

“I challenge him to prove any corruption charge against us.”

Kejriwal only wants 'Yes Men', added the former BJP member.

"At this stage, Awaaz-e-Punjab is not a party. It is a forum for good governance," Sidhu announced, adding that the forum should be given 15 days to work out its future course.

Sidhu was flanked by former Indian hockey team captain Pargat Singh, a legislator of Punjab`s ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, and two independent legislators, Balwinder Singh Bains and Simarjeet Singh Bains, during the launch of the political front.

Pargat Singh was last month suspended from the Akali Dal for "anti-party" activities.

Sidhu had resigned from the Rajya Sabha on July 18, fuelling speculation that he may join the AAP.

The Bains brothers, who had fallen out with the Akali Dal top leadership three years ago, have significant influence in Ludhiana district.