AAP Beckons Navjot Singh Sidhu, But Why Was He Unhappy With BJP?

Here’s a chronology of events that led to the souring of the BJP-Sidhu relationship.

Navjot Singh Sidhu comes out of Parliament House after resigning from Rajya Sabha as MP on the first day the Monsoon Session on Monday. (Photo: PTI)

In a surprise move, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday resigned from the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, the speculation that he could switch to the Aam Aadmi Party grew stronger.

As it remains to be seen whether Sidhu would make the switch, here’s a chronology of events of that turned his relationship with BJP sour.

Arun Jaitley Over Sidhu

Sidhu’s allegiance to the BJP seemed to be faltering since he was denied a ticket in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar. He was the three-time MP from the constituency since 2004. The seat was instead offered to senior leader Arun Jaitley, who ended up losing the election.

Sidhu has been uninvolved in Punjab elections since.

The Akali Dal Link

Shortly after taking oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha in April, Sidhu broke his silence on Punjab politics, by vocally withdrawing his support from the BJP-SAD alliance in Punjab. He said that he was ready to campaign anywhere in the country for the BJP, except in Punjab.

On 8 March 2016, Sidhu’s wife, Navjot Kaur – the Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the SAD-BJP government – said she wouldn’t be campaigning in Punjab for the upcoming state Assembly elections until BJP breaks its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal.

Of Resignations and Backtracks

Later on 1 April, Navjot Kaur announced her resignation from the BJP in a post on Facebook, although she backtracked shortly after.

‘BJP A Burden’

In June, Navjot Singh staged a comeback into Punjab politics, and was nominated to the state BJP core team. But, as he said on Monday, his membership to the BJP has become a “burden”.

NDTV quoted him as saying:

The people of Punjab are looking for a change. With the closure of every window leading to Punjab the purpose stands defeated, now a mere burden. I prefer not to carry it. In the war of right or wrong, you can’t afford to be neutral rather than being self-centred. Punjab’s interest is paramount.