Former cricketer and Rajya Sabha member Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had quit as BJP MP earlier this month, is likely to join Aam Aadmi Party by the second week of August.
Former cricketer and Rajya Sabha member Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had quit as BJP MP earlier this month, is likely to join Aam Aadmi Party by the second week of August.
Mr Sidhu had hogged headlines earlier this month for firing uninterrupted salvos at the saffron party for asking him to stay away from Punjab.
The 52-year-old former cricketer, who had long innings with the BJP in Punjab, has alleged that the party had asked him to stay away from Punjab to serve “personal interests.”
Sources in the AAP said Mr Sidhu will formally join the party next month, possibly in the second week of August. He is likely to be inducted as a “star campaigner” ahead of the Assembly polls next year.
The AAP is giving a tough fight to the ruling BJP-SAD alliance and Congress in Punjab, and is hoping to cash in on Mr Sidhu’s popularity to bolster its chances in the state election.
AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has welcomed Mr Sidhu’s decision to quit Rajya Sabha as “brave” and has also called him a “nice” man. Mr Sidhu, however, has not disclosed his plans yet.
Earlier this week, he parried queries during a media interaction on whether he would join the AAP, saying he will be stand wherever the interests of Punjab are served.
Mr Sidhu has alleged he was told to remain away from Punjab to “serve personal interests,” suggesting that the BJP was acting under ally Shiromani Akali Dal’s pressure.
Mr Sidhu has had a running feud with the Akalis, who have accused him of being an “opportunist”. They have said that “fugitive” leaders like Mr Sidhu have no place in state politics and people will teach him a lesson. But the BJP has maintained that Mr Sidhu has not quit the party yet.
