We are one soul, two bodies: Navjot Kaur on Sidhu joining Congress

However, the joining of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was not clear, says party leaders

In a major fillip to Congress in poll-bound Punjab, former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur on Monday joined the party along with former Akali MLA Pargat Singh.

The joining of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was, however, not clear as party leaders said with his wife in Congress fold he would follow suit soon.

"We are one soul and two bodies. How long can a body remain without its soul. He has to follow his soul," his wife told mediapersons when asked about Sidhu.

Joining the party at AICC headquarters in the presence of Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh and party's incharge of state Congress affairs Asha Kumari, Navjot Kaur said, "we are soul mates and you will know soon".

 

When posed the same question, Amarinder said Sidhu was in Mumbai and will come soon after which discussions will be held with him. "But with his wife in Congress fold, I am sure he will join soon," he said.

Officially welcomed Navjot Kaur and Pargat Singh to the Congress, Amarinder said.

Asked if they will contest the upcoming polls, Navjot Kaur and former Hockey Olympian Pargat Singh said they have joined the party unconditionally and will abide with whatever the party leadership decided.

Both were, however, ready to contest from their respective Amritsar East and Jalandhar Cantt assembly seats.

To a question the Congress' Jaipur resolution that new entrants should have a colling off period, Amarinder said, "Congress president will take a final call on this issue".

Navjot and Pargat had met the party's top leadership last week and later met Amarinder before sealing the deal.

With their joining Congress, which is in political wilderness in the state for the past decade, got a shot in its arm as it is striving to get back to power in Punjab after having lost out to ruling Akali-BJP combine for the past two consecutive polls.

Elections to Punjab are likely to be held early next year and Congress is getting good competition from entrant AAP.

Navjot Kaur, who hails from Patiala contested on a BJP ticket and won in 2012. She was also the Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the current Akali-BJP government, but later quit the party in October.

Pargat, who had won the 2012 Assembly elections from Jalandhar Cantt on SAD ticket, quit the party in September this year.

Along with former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, he formed the outfit Awaaz-e-Punjab, a new front which now stands defunct after the Bains brothers decided to support and align with AAP.