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Navjot Sidhu meets Rajnath, asks for meeting with Punjab CM

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ANI Amristar
Last Updated : Sep 21 2013 | 7:30 PM IST

Having opened a war of words with alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (B), BJP MP and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu today met BJP national chief Rajnath Singh in Delhi.

Two days earlier, he met BJP Punjab affairs in charge Shanta Kumar who failed to convince Sidhu not to rake up issues before media but keep his grievances if any within the party's forums.

Sidhu met Rajnath Singh and handed over a written statement and records relating to what he alleged the discrimination against his constituency Amritsar by the SAD-BJP government in Punjab.

He had earlier handed over the records to Shanta Kumar who had promised to take up the matter within the party and at alliance level.

Talking to media, Navjot Sidhu stated that during his meeting with Rajnath Singh, he was told that "Badal had lodged a complaint against me," adding that despite being sidelined he never lodged complaint against Badals.

Shanta Kumar's directives notwithstanding, Sidhu has continued his tirade against the Akalis. He was quoted by the media saying today the 'coalition dharma' was only for him and not for alliance partner Akalis and other BJP leaders.

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He said no one can stop him from raising in public the issues concerning the demands of Amritsar for development projects which had been scuttled by Akalis.

Sidhu stated that he was going to Chandigarh with Rajnath Singh.

The meeting is considered crucial and Sidhu reportedly has given written material to substantiate his views about the diversion of funds from Amritsar to the other municipal corporations by the state government.

Sidhu has been desperate to meet Rajnath Singh, before his visit to Chandigarh for interaction with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM and SAD (B) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal ahead of alliance's preparedness for the next 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

The Sidhu issue will crop up during Rajnath Singh's meeting in Chandigarh with Prakash Singh Badal, as Sidhu had used harsh words against CM Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal.

Badals have said that Sidhu was playing a 'fixed match' by targeting his own government. Sidhu, in turn, said the remarks were 'rubbish talk' by SAD leaders, according to media reports.

Rajnath Singh is unhappy with the behaviour of Sidhu who was absent from his constituency for long and was busy with TV comedy shows and cricket commentary.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has stated that Sidhu was raising non-issues. He used to shower praises when they made him win MP seat thrice but now was critical of Badals.

There are reports of Sidhu joining opposition Congress but he himself has denied it, saying he will not leave BJP come what may but his outburst has surprised all.

Sidhu has been spending most of his time in Delhi and Mumbai on TV shows, but of late he has been blaming the Akalis for failure to implement development projects in his constituency.

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First Published: Sep 21 2013 | 7:27 PM IST

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