Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns from Rajya Sabha, wife quits BJP: AAP leaders start 'welcoming' him

Former India cricketer and politician Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from the Rajya Sabha, while his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), news reports on Monday said. The reports also suggested that the erstwhile MP will join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and become AAP’s chief ministerial candidate in poll-bound Punjab. In his resignation letter, Sidhu said there was closure of every window. “At behest of PM, I had accepted RS nomination for welfare of Punjab. With closure of every window leading to Punjab the purpose stands defeated, now a mere burden. I prefer not to carry it,” he had said.

At behest of PM, I had accepted RS nomination for welfare of Punjab: Navjot Singh Sidhu

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2016

With closure of every window leading to Punjab the purpose stands defeated, now a mere burden. I prefer not to carry it: Navjot Singh Sidhu

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2016

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“In the war of right or wrong, you can’t afford to be neutral rather than being self-centered. Punjab’s interest is paramount,” Sidhu said.

In the war of right or wrong, you can't afford to be neutral rather than being self-centered. Punjab's interest is paramount: Navjot Sidhu

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2016

But before the former cricketer could announce his next move, speculation has already linked him with the AAP. The AAP’s Punjab convener, Sucha Singh Chotepur, seemed to suggest as much, taking to Twitter, to welcome Sidhu and his wife to the party. “Appreciate Navjot Sidhu and Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s move. Looking forward to their welcome,” he wrote, leading many to join the dots and suggest his next career move may lie with the AAP, ahead of Assembly polls in Punjab in 2017.

Appreciate Navjot Sidhu and Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu Move,looking forward for their Welcome to @AAPPunjab2017 @AamAadmiParty @DrDrnavjotsidhu

— Sucha Singh Chhotepur (@SChotepur) July 18, 2016

Sidhu’s induction in the AAP seemed almost final and formal, when various senior leaders of AAP took to Twitter to “welcome him”. AAP leader Sanjay Singh was among the first to do so. “It’s a brave move by Navjot Sidhu to quit the BJP,” he said on Twitter.

नवजोत सिंह सिधू जी ने बीजेपी की राज्य सभा सदस्यता से इस्तीफा देकर साहसिक कदम उठाया है,उनके फैसले का स्वागत करता हूँ।

— Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) July 18, 2016

“Navjot Singh_ji_ has taken this step to make a better Punjab. This will save Punjab,” Sanjay said, while speaking to ANI. When asked if the former opening batsman will join AAP, he added, “Navjot Singh Sidhu will join the side of ‘dharma’ in the fight against ‘adharma’.”

Reporter: So Navjot Singh is joining AAP?
Sanjay Singh: When the time is right a formal announcement will be made pic.twitter.com/jgQ5c25I57

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2016

I think to make a better Punjab, Navjot Singh ji has taken this step. This will save Punjab: Sanjay Singh, AAP pic.twitter.com/WAbHJZ5aAA

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2016

On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Gurdeep Singh Sappal, OSD to Vice-President Hamid Ansari tweeted:

Navjot Singh Siddhu, nominated member, resigns from Rajya Sabha.

— Gurdeep Singh Sappal (@gurdeepsappal) July 18, 2016

The Indian Express has reported that Sidhu might be joining AAP. Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur is a parliamentary secretary in the Punjab SAD-BJP govt, who may also resign, the newspaper added. AAP has been actively campaigning in Punjab for the upcoming assembly elections in 2017. Delhi chief minister and party chief Arvind Kejriwal too visited the Harmandar Sahib  in Punjab early Monday to offer his apology by performing voluntary service after the party’s ‘Youth Manifesto’ carried a picture of the Golden Temple, along with the AAP election symbol: A broom.