Navjot Singh Sidhu, who quit the Rajya Sabha earlier in July, is likely to join the Aam Aadmi Party in August. While most reports stated that he’d be joining the party in the second week of August, NDTV reports confirmed the joining date as 15 August.
The 52-year-old former cricketer, who had a long innings with the BJP in Punjab, alleged that BJP had asked him to stay away from Punjab to serve “personal interests”, apparently suggesting that the BJP was acting under ally Shiromani Akali Dal’s pressure.
Sources in the AAP said Sidhu is likely to be inducted as a “star campaigner” ahead of the assembly polls next year. AAP is giving a tough fight to the ruling BJP-SAD alliance and Congress in Punjab, and is hoping to cash in on Sidhu’s popularity to bolster its chances in the state election.
Sidhu has had a running feud with the Akalis, who have accused him of “opportunists”. They have said that “fugitive” leaders like Sidhu have no place in state politics and people will teach him a lesson.
In a scathing attack, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said people “would not forgive Sidhu and teach him a lesson for treachery because they dislike anyone who deceives his party.”
Opportunists and fugitive political leaders like Sidhu have no place in Punjab politics and people will teach him a befitting lesson.Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab
(With inputs from IANS and PTI)
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