Navjot Sidhu launched his own party today after talks with Arvind Kejriwal for joining AAP faultered.
Cricketer-turned politician Navjot Sidhu is not known for pulling punches. Today, as he attempted to end speculation about his role ahead of the Punjab elections at the Chandigarh Press Club today the same situation prevailed.
The hour-long monologue was filled with Sidhuisms - the most outstanding being his play on the word "Badal". Translated to English, "Badal" means clouds, but it is also the surname of the Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal.
Speaking in chaste Punjabi, Mr Sidhu said, "While wearing black clothes, I say black clouds are hovering over Punjab, they need to be removed''.
With the perception of him as a "laugh riot", "comedian", and "entertainer," he attempted to pack in credibility. Each Sidhuism was followed by a statement - "Laugh, but it is the truth".
The big question that needed an answer was why he did not join AAP.
"Kejriwal said half the truth when he tweeted that I did not have any condition to joining AAP. Today, I will tell you the other half. AAP also (like BJP) wanted to make me a decorative piece. They offered a ministerial berth to my wife if AAP won," he said.
Criticising Mr Kejriwal further with another Sidhuism, he suggested that AAP is a dictatorship, saying, "No one can whistle a symphony it is an orchestra that plays it".
Not much of a bowler in his time, he even managed a Googly to a sharp question. Has he left the BJP? "Ask the BJP," he replied.
The twist came when Mr Sidhu said there was more to come and his teaming up with other star players (former India hockey captain Pargat Singh) in Awaz-e-Punjab does not mean they have formed a political party.
"Awaz-e-Punjab is not a party. It is a forum for like-minded people," he said.
But the much-hyped press conference did not end the suspense on Mr Sidhu's next move. "Give us 15 days," he said, and ended with yet another Sidhuism: "Patience is bitter but the fruit is sweet".
The former cricketer once said, "Wickets are like wives, you never know which way they will turn".
Today, as mediapersons tried to see which way his white SUV was headed, it appeared that the same Sidhuism could hold true for the man himself. The suspense continues.