Chandigarh, Jan 15: Cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu joined the Congress party on Sunday. Sidhu met Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and joined the party ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) however stated that Sidhu joining the party will not make any difference in the upcoming assembly elections. BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that Sidhu’s move to join Congress is the ‘worst decision’ of his life.
Addressing the media, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya stated “Sidhu has taken the worst decision of his life and he will regret it later. The Congress Party stands no chances in Punjab and Sidhu’s inclusion in the party is not going to affect the results.”
The Indian Express reported BJP leader Shrikant Sharma stating that “There is the BJP on one side, which has been working towards development and good governance in the country and on the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. It has been working on the principles of ‘zero tolerance against corruption’ and ‘zero tolerance against terrorism’. Even the people of India have continuously been supporting them,” Sharma said. “On the other hand, there is Congress, which has been involved in Rs. 12 lakh crore scams… Now, it’s Sidhu’s choice; it’s his wish to join any party he wants,” he added.
After Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from BJP, it was suspected that Sidhu may join AAP. Talks between both the camps were also arranged. However, since no conclusion could be made between Navjot Singh Sidhu and AAP, Sidhu in September then formed his own party titled ‘Aawaz-e-Punjab’ with independent MLAs and brothers Balwinder Singh Bains and Simarjeet Singh Bains and former hockey captain Pargat Singh.
The three time Amritsar MP changed his political views after a spat with Prakash Singh Badal and later when BJP denied him ticket in 2014 and he was rehabilitated to Rajya Sabha, Sidhu resigned from the party.
Sidhu and his wife left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September 2016 and speculations were raised as where the former cricketer would be in the assembly polls, but now after this it seems Sidhu found his vocation in the Congress party. After joining Congress, Navjot Singh Sidhu tweeted stating “Beginning of a new inning. On the front foot…….. Punjab, Punjabiyat & every Punjabi must win !!!”
Beginning of a new inning. On the front foot…….. Punjab, Punjabiyat & every Punjabi must win !!! pic.twitter.com/up0WzzoaxJ
Elections in Punjab is scheduled on February 4 in a single phase and the results of the election will be out on March 11. The cricketer turned politician will be contesting election from the Amritsar east constituency.
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