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Switching allegiance reveals selfish mindset: BJP on Sidhu resignation

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a dig at former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision to quit Rajya Sabha and said that the decision displays his “selfish mindset” on Wednesday.

Updated on: Jul 20, 2016, 12:27:58 IST
By , Mumbai
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a dig at former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision to quit Rajya Sabha and said that the decision displays his “selfish mindset” on Wednesday.

Former Rajya Sabha MP Navjot Singh Sidhu arrives at Parliament House on the opening day of the monsoon session in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)
Former Rajya Sabha MP Navjot Singh Sidhu arrives at Parliament House on the opening day of the monsoon session in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

“Switching allegiance shows one’s selfish mindset, especially at a time when we (BJP) believe that party and nation come before the individual,” BJP leader Shaina NC told ANI.

She hit out at Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejrial for his remark that honest and good people are suffocating under BJP’s top leadership and said that unlike the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), BJP is a disciplined and democratic party that holds the nation in high regard.

“Arvind Kejriwal can poach all he wants but do understand, ours is a disciplined political party, a democratic party. If there is an issue, we have every right to speak to the national president,” she said.

Shaina NC’s statement comes a day after Kejriwal tweeted “Honest n gud people are feeling extremely suffocated within BJP due to dictatorial attitude of its top leadership,” in the backdrop of Sidhu resigning from the Upper house.

It is speculated that Sidhu might join AAP in Punjab. The former cricketer, who was a three-time Lok Sabha member from the BJP, was asked to step away from contesting polls in Amritsar during the 2014 general election to make way for Union finance minister Arun Jaitley.

Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur, however, clarified that she is with the BJP.

Sources said Navjot Kaur was abstaining from joining AAP before August to avert bypoll in her constituency before the scheduled assembly elections because she can be disqualified under the anti-defection law if she joins AAP. 

The AAP Constitution does not allow two members of a family to hold any office within the party, including the elected post, sources added.

AAP has refuted that Sidhu would be projected as the their chief ministerial candidate in Punjab, adding that he would be actively campaigning for party candidates in the elections.

Sidhu’s campaign can help AAP increase its tally as he has been attacking the incumbent Akali government.

There is also “possibility of a revolt in the AAP, if the party projects a chief ministerial candidate” before Punjab polls, sources said.

AAP is set to release its first list of around 30 candidates for Punjab elections by the end of July.

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