New Delhi: In a major jolt to the BJP ahead of Punjab Assembly polls, its leader Navjot Singh Sidhu today resigned from Rajya Sabha amid strong indications that he might join the Aam Aadmi Party of Arvind Kejriwal which is contending for power in the border state. The Upper House was informed that Chairman Hamid Ansari had accepted the resignation of Mr Sidhu, the cricketer turned politician, who had been Lok Sabha member thrice, and who had been nominated to the Upper House only in April.
In a statement issued soon after announcement of his resignation, Mr Sidhu clearly expressed his grouse against the BJP denying any role to him in Punjab. "At the behest of the hon'ble Prime Minister, I had accepted the Rajya Sabha nomination for the welfare of Punjab. With the closure of every window leading to Punjab, the purpose stands defeated," he said in the statement posted by his wife Dr Navjot Sidhu on her Facebook post. "It is now a mere burden, I prefer not to carry it. In the war of right or wrong, you can not afford to be neutral."
The cricketer-turned politician stated. Mr Sidhu’s resignation comes at a time when the AAP is looking for a credible face in Punjab. While BJP leader Vijay Goel said that the party will talk to Mr Sidhu. His exit was immediately hailed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and other senior leaders of the AAP, though they did not directly said anything about his joining the party or becoming the party's CM candidate.
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh welcomed Mr Sidhu’s move saying he had taken a courageous step for the welfare of Punajb. When asked whether he would be joining the AAP, Mr Singh said any announcement will be made when time was right. Later, AAP Punjab convenor S Sucha Singh Chhotepur said his party would wholeheartedly welcome the cricketer-turned-politician into the party fold.
In an official tweet, Mr Chhotepur said, ''Navjot Singh Sidhu is most welcome to join AAP.' ''Appreciate Navjot Sidhu and Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu move, looking forward for their Welcome to @ AAP Punjab 2017,'' he added. Mr Siddhu was said to be sulking ever since he was made to make way for Mr Arun Jaitley in Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 elections. He was also understood to be not comfortable with the leadership of the Akali Dal, a BJP ally, in Punjab.
