Sidhu, Kejriwal mum on strategy, former MP may join AAP soon

Both Navjot Singh Sidhu and Arvind Kejriwal today played their cards close to the chest on their next move in Punjab amidst emerging indications that the cricketer-turned-politician and his wife Navjot Kaur might soon join AAP.
Sidhu kept himself away from the media while his wife did all the talking, saying his resignation from the Rajya Sabha yesterday meant he has also quit the BJP and the only option for them now was to join the AAP.
Kejriwal, who welcomed Sidhu's decision as brave, today appeared to suggest that the talk of his becoming the face of AAP in Punjab would be premature now.

On the possibility of Sidhu being projected as the AAP's Chief Ministerial candidate in the Punjab polls next year, Kejriwal commented, "Aisa kuch nahi hai." (There's nothing of that sort yet.)
"He has just resigned from the Rajya Sabha seat and I think all good people should resign from the BJP. I admire his courage," the Delhi Chief Minister said.
When reminded about Sidhu's criticism of him in the past, Kejriwal said "That's not an issue. But whoever joins the AAP has to become a common man first."

Asked what if Sidhu wants to join AAP. Kejriwal called him a "nice" man, adding "definitely the party (AAP) should give it a thought."

AAP sources Sidhu and Kaur will join the party within a week. They indicated that he may not be the CM face but could be the main campaigner in the Punjab Assembly elections next year.
Kaur who spoke to reporters in Chandigarh said there was no question of Sidhu going back on his decision.
"I think he (Sidhu) has very clearly suggested what he is going to do and in the coming days let him come out with this (his future plans). He has said that he wants to serve Punjab and there is no choice except serving from Aam Aadmi Party," Kaur, who is MLA from Amritsar-East constituency and is Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Health) in SAD-BJP Government, said.

Asked what was her husband's position now in the BJP, Kaur said, "It is understood that if he has quit the Rajya Sabha, he has quit BJP. There is no question of his going back, he has never gone back on his words. He wants to serve Punjab. And he will serve the State."
As for herself, Kaur said she was still a BJP MLA and was functioning as chief parliamentary secretary.
"I have made no decision as yet. For Navjot the alternative is very clear, he is clear about serving Punjab. So, you can understand what option he has," she told reporters, adding she has always stood by his side.

When again asked about her plans, Kaur said, "Let me see
what take he has, let him come out and say what he has to say in a press conference and then let me take my decision."
"I follow him blindly... But at the moment, I am working as MLA," she said.
When pointed out that they were being dubbed as opportunists by some opponents, Kaur said, "There is no question of asking for any position. He is not coming on any condition or wanting any position. He is just saying I want to serve Punjab."
Asked what she felt about AAP, Kaur said, "My take on any party is that people of Punjab want neat, clean and a good governance...Ultimately, it is for people of Punjab to decide."

Kaur described Kejriwal as a "honest" man.
"I look upto a person who first talks about the basics. Whether there is electricity or not, whether one is getting pension or not, food, gas (LPG), whether road is complete or not, whether health and education is provided or not. First talk about these things rather than boasting. From that point of view, I find him (Kejriwal) a grounded and an honest man," she said.
Showering praise on the Delhi Chief Minister, she described herself as an "ardent fan" of him.
"I am an ardent fan of him (Arvind Kejriwal). There are some good and bad things in every person. But his (Kejriwal) merits are in abundance," Sidhu said.

Kaur, who like Sidhu, has been critical of BJP's continuing alliance with Akali Dal, dubbed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal as a "turncoat".
"There cannot be a bigger opportunist and dalbadloo (turncoat) than Parkash Singh Badal," she said.
She praised him for "I have not worked with him but what I read and see about him I feel that being in the public, he talks about basic things".
Kejriwal had yesterday hailed Sidhu's resignation from the Upper House, saying it requires courage to give up a Rajya Sabha membership to "save" his state.
Badal also hit back at the Sidhus saying people of the state will never forgive "opportunists and treacherous" political leaders who ditch their party for sake of short term benefits.

He said leaders without any principles could never succeed in the politics as Punjabis have strong dislike for them.
The Chief Minister said that there would be hardly any impact of Sidhu leaving BJP .
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Meanwhile, a senior AAP leader said, "He (Sidhu) could be of great use to the party in the polls. He is an extremely popular leader."
Sources hinted Sidhu's formal induction in the party could happen when Kejriwal visits the state.
The Delhi Chief Minister is expected to visit Punjab on July 29 to appear before a court in a defamation case filed by state Finance Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

Sidhu may be formally welcomed to the party by that time.
Sidhu's wife, who is a BJP MLA from Amritsar (Rural), is expected to contest on an AAP ticket.