Qutting RS means leaving the BJP, says Sidhu's wife

A day after BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu quit the Rajya Sabha, his wife Navjot Kaur said on Tuesday that his resignation from the Upper House should be seen as quitting the BJP.

Kaur, a BJP MLA from Amritsar, said: "His (Sidhu's) vision was very clear that he wanted to serve Punjab. He was not ready for any other role outside Punjab. But the party (BJP) was very clear that they wanted to work with Akali Dal."

Asked if Sidhu has also quit the Bharatiya Janata Party, she said: "If he has quit the Rajya Sabha, it should be seen as leaving the party too," and added that he had "no choice left before him".

Kaur however clarified that she hasn't quit the party yet.

"I'll talk about myself later. First let him come up with exact plans like in what capacity he wants to serve Punjab. He will hold a press conference in two or three days to brief the media about his future course of actions," said Kaur.

Asked whether Sidhu was joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), she refused to comment saying, "Let him decide on this. I can't take a decision from his side. Let it come from his mouth."

A senior AAP leader, who wished not to be named, told IANS that speculation over Sidhu joining the AAP were "true".

AAP is seen as a contender for power in Punjab.

Sidhu had won the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in 2009 but did not contest in 2014 when senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley was fielded from there, apparently under Akali Dal pressure. Jaitley lost.

Sidhu has been a steady campaigner for the BJP in elections. He has appeared in popular TV shows and is known for his ready wit and Urdu shairi.

--IANS

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