Sidhu won’t return to BJP: Wife

AMRITSAR: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s legislator-wife confirmed on Tuesday that her husband’s innings with the BJP was over, and hinted that

AMRITSAR: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s legislator-wife confirmed on Tuesday that her husband’s innings with the BJP was over, and hinted that he could join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

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Her remarks fuelled swirling speculation about his next move after he resigned the day before from the Rajya Sabha, to which he was nominated by the BJP this April.

Wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, the BJP legislator and chief parliamentary secretary, hinted that AAP is the best option for him now. She ruled out any possibility of Sidhu returning to the BJP.

But Navjot Kaur dismissed speculation about following in her husband’s footsteps, saying she was still with the BJP.

“I have made no decision. Navjot has made his decision. His option is very clear. His option of serving Punjab is very clear. So you can well understand what option he has,” she said. And, as a meaningful afterthought, added: “Whenever he requires me, I will have to go.”

Gossip engulfed Sidhu’s shock announcement in his home state Punjab that votes next year in crucial assembly polls, in which the AAP has become a major competitor. Political observers hazarded a guess that Sidhu could be projected the AAP’s candidate for the chief minister’s post.

Navjot Kaur too called the AAP a good alternative, saying she was impressed with work style of AAP national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

Navjot Kaur blamed the BJP for closing the doors when her husband wanted to work for his home state. “He had little option then but to leave the party. I feel he has done the right thing. It is obvious what alternative is the best for Punjab now. People have seen the SAD-BJP, people have seen the Congress,” she said, dropping clues about the tilt towards the AAP.

The legislator called Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal the “biggest opportunist” and remained unperturbed by the scathing remarks of his son, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal. “We are not bothered about what he says.”