Arvind Kejriwal tweeted today that Navjot Singh Sidhu 'needs time', set no condition for joining AAP
In tweets this morning, Arvind Kejriwal said cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has "not put any pre-condition" on joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and needs time to think.
Mr Sidhu, who went public last month with his angst against the BJP, his party of 12 years, has been in talks with AAP ahead of elections in Punjab next year.
Opening up about the negotiations for the first time, Mr Kejriwal said he it was his "duty" to clarify his position on the former cricketer.
AAP reportedly didn't agree to either demand and insisted that Mr Sidhu has to settle for star campaigner to start with and work his way up.
The apparent impasse in his talks with AAP has segued into an opportunity for the Congress, which has indicated that it is willing to offer Mr Sidhu more, short of presumptive chief minister.
Sources say the Congress is ready to look at Deputy Chief Minister for Mr Sidhu, after two or three years.
The party can also offer the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. Mr Sidhu has been upset with the BJP since it fielded now Finance Minister Arun Jaitley instead of him in 2014 from the constituency that he had held for 10 years.
The Congress now holds the seat; Mr Jaitley lost to the party's Punjab chief Amrinder Singh.
Mr Sidhu, who went public last month with his angst against the BJP, his party of 12 years, has been in talks with AAP ahead of elections in Punjab next year.
Opening up about the negotiations for the first time, Mr Kejriwal said he it was his "duty" to clarify his position on the former cricketer.
Wud Navjot Sidhu ji join AAP- lot of rumours? Its my duty to put forward our side. We have greatest greatest regard for this ckt legend(1/3)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 19, 2016
He met me last week. Didn't put any pre-condition. He needs time to think. Lets respect that(2/3)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 19, 2016
The Delhi Chief Minister's posts follow reports that AAP's talks with the cricketer-politician have collapsed because he wants to be projected as chief ministerial candidate and is also negotiating a role for his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, currently a BJP lawmaker in Punjab.He is a v gud human being n a ckt legend. My respect for him wud continue whether he joins or not(3/3)
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 19, 2016
AAP reportedly didn't agree to either demand and insisted that Mr Sidhu has to settle for star campaigner to start with and work his way up.
The apparent impasse in his talks with AAP has segued into an opportunity for the Congress, which has indicated that it is willing to offer Mr Sidhu more, short of presumptive chief minister.
Sources say the Congress is ready to look at Deputy Chief Minister for Mr Sidhu, after two or three years.
The party can also offer the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat. Mr Sidhu has been upset with the BJP since it fielded now Finance Minister Arun Jaitley instead of him in 2014 from the constituency that he had held for 10 years.
The Congress now holds the seat; Mr Jaitley lost to the party's Punjab chief Amrinder Singh.
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