With Lok Sabha elections around the corner, Punjab’s power corridors are abuzz with the talks of Navjot Singh Sidhu’s ghar wapsi (homecoming) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Several reports also suggested that the saffron party is considering fielding another former cricketer, Yuvraj Singh, from the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency.
The development came at a time when the rift within the Punjab unit of Congress is out in the open once again, with growing calls for disciplinary action against cricketer-turned-politician Sidhu for openly flouting the party’s directives by holding his own rallies.
Several media reports quoting sources suggested that Sidhu, along with three other Congress MLAs from Punjab, are looking to switch allegiances by next week.
Sidhu’s Ghar Wapsi
Former Punjab Congress Chief, who is known to have close ties with senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, recently had a face-off with the current party leadership in the state, speaking the rumours about him switching sides.
On being asked about Sidhu’s individual rallies, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, “Nobody is above the party. Whoever wants to do something can do without Congress’s symbol and platform,” and warned his predecessor that indiscipline will attract expulsion from the party.
Under the circumstances, BJP leaders in the Majha region feel Sidhu might rejoin his parent party and could potentially become a Lok Sabha candidate from the state, according to a report by Times of India.
Quoting BJP functionary Somdev Sharma, the TOI report said that there had been strong indications of Sidhu joining the party.
“Discussions are underway with other BJP leaders and potential candidates in anticipation of his joining, but details are being closely guarded,” he reportedly said.
BJP could reportedly field Sidhu, who is known for his oratory skills, from Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency– which has been the saffron party’s stronghold traditionally.
Meanwhile, Congress has dismissed the possibility of Sidhu joining the BJP.
“A leader who keeps hopping from one party to another loses his charm and credibility,” said Congress leader Raman Bakshi, as per TOI report.
If Sidhu, who left BJP in 2017 to join Congress, returns to the saffron fold, he will join the long list of Congress heavyweights exiting the party recently, including– Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Former Union Minister, Milind Deora and Former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddiqui.
Gurdaspur’s New ‘Yuvraj’
Rumours are also rife that the BJP is planning to field former cricketer Yuvraj Singh from Gurdaspur, replacing the incumbent party MLA Sunny Deol.
According to Somdev Sharma, speculation gains traction after Singh and his mother Shabnam Singh’s recent meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The BJP has a history of parachuting celebrity candidates from its stronghold Gurdaspur, which include actor Vinod Khanna and Deol.
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