Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as Rajya Sabha member on Monday, remains silent
Highlights
- Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned as Rajya Sabha member on Monday
- There is speculation that he will quit the BJP and join Aam Aadmi Party
- He has not spoken publicly since he resigned from Parliament
Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as Rajya Sabha member on Monday, is being watched keenly for his next political steps. So far, there have been none.
The cricketer-turned-BJP leader, known for his non-stop and humourous commentary on many matters, landed in New Delhi at about 4.30 am on Thursday, but did not speak to reporters. He has not spoken publicly since he resigned from Parliament and made a philosophical statement amid a swirl of speculation that he is quitting the BJP and is headed to Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party ahead of crucial elections in Punjab, Mr Sidhu's state.
Sources said Mr Sidhu could address a press conference tomorrow, Friday, to detail his political plans and that he could formally join AAP next week. No date has been set yet, top sources in AAP have told NDTV.
His wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu had on Tuesday described her husband's silence as a "maun vrat (vow of silence)" for Guru Poornima. She also said that his resignation from the Rajya Sabha implies a resignation from the BJP. Mrs Sidhu, who too is a member of the BJP, has however not resigned.
Navjot Singh Sidhu was nominated to the upper house earlier this year, after being denied a ticket by the BJP to contest the 2014 elections from Punjab's Amritsar, the seat he had held since 2004.
Officially AAP has been evasive about its Sidhu plans with party spokesperson Ashutosh only saying, "How can I reply on his behalf? I have been his fan and he has redefined commentary. In politics, he defeated a heavyweight and was elected to the Lok Sabha."
In the absence of official confirmation from either side on his joining AAP, the Congress's Captain Amarinder Singh, who had criticised Mr Sidhu for "deserting the BJP," has now offered him a place in his party. "If he wants to come, he can be a part of it (the party). We will certainly consider it.. In a battle, one does not lose people, but gain. His family also served the Congress,' said Captain Amarinder Singh after a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and senior leaders from Punjab. Sources say Sidhu was also discussed in the meeting.
After his big win in Delhi last year, Mr Kejriwal hopes to set up an AAP government in Punjab, where elections will be held in early 2017. Like in Delhi, he has entered a battleground that has traditionally seen two big parties slug it out - in this case the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, a BJP ally.