In what might come as a massive surprise for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party, Navjot Singh Sidhu and hockey player-turned-MLA Pargat Singh on Friday came together to float a party, the Awaaz-e-Punjab, with Punjab-based Independent MLAs Simarjeet Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains.
Awaaz-e-Punjab, the New Front
Sidhu, who kept everyone guessing on whether he was joining AAP, made the announcement on Friday, ahead of the crucial Punjab polls in 2017.
Along with Pargat Singh and Bains brothers we have formed a front. This will be against those working against Punjab.Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of Navjot Singh Sidhu
She also added:
I don’t even know if it’s the 4th front, I just know these are 4 good people who want to work for Punjab.
The decision comes only a few days after Sidhu had a meeting with Kejriwal.
We Want to Give an Alternative to People in Punjab: Pargat Singh
Talking about the move, Pargat said that the idea was to give a “strong and credible” alternative to the people of Punjab, according to Hindustan Times. “Nothing more can be said at this stage,” he added.
This also comes in the backdrop of rumours that Pargat would be joining AAP, the report in Hindustan Times added.
However, after the state convener Sucha Singh Chottepur was removed, Pargat reportedly decided to take this initiative.
“This is just the beginning. We have discussed the strategy on how to go ahead. Many other credible faces are in touch with us,” Pargat added, according to Hindustan Times.
The Bians brothers, talking about the party, told CNN-News18 that they are confident about Punjab accepting and supporting their front. They added that Sidhu is passionate about politics and the problems of the state, including its drug problem.
Source: ANI and Hindustan Times
Trumping AAP
Singh’s contemplated innings with the AAP seemed strained in mid-August when differences between the two on declaring the former batsman as the face of the assembly elections in 2017 surfaced.
This had followed Sidhu’s resignation from the Rajya Sabha on 18 July, exactly a month ago.
Reportedly, Sidhu had wanted tickets for both himself and his wife along with 14 other close associates, something AAP was not keen on.
However, soon conflicting reports of him joining party as its chief campaigner also started doing the rounds.
Around the same time, Arvind Kejriwal had fuelled speculations about him joining the party:
(With inputs from ANI, Hindustan Times and CNN-News 18.)
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