AAP welcomes Navjot Singh Sidhu's decision to quit Rajya Sabha, opens doors to party

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party today welcomed BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu's decision to quit from Rajya Sabha and opened its doors to the cricketer-turned-politician to join its ranks, signalling an imminent churning ahead of next year's Punjab Assembly polls.

Within minutes of Sidhu's resignation, AAP's Punjab convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur and AAP state in-charge Sanjay Singh hailed Sidhu's "courageous" decision and said the party was "looking forward" to welcome him.

AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said Sidhu would be making an "announcement" soon, adding that the party is open to the joining of individuals who believe in honest politics.

"Navjot Singh Sidhu is most welcomed to join @AamAadmiParty @sherryontopp @AAPPunjab2017. Appreciate Navjot Sidhu and Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu Move, looking forward for their Welcome to @AAPPunjab2017 @AamAadmiParty @DrDrnavjotsidhu (sic)," Chhotepur tweeted.

Asked if Sidhu could be made AAP's chief ministerial candidate in case he decides to take the plunge, AAP's Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann said, "Whoever joins AAP, he is clearly told that it has to be unconditional."

Sidhu, a former Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar, was convicted in a culpable homicide case in Patiala and is out on bail.

Singh, a member of AAP's highest decision-making body Political Affairs Committee, tweeted, "Navjot Singh Sidhu has taken a courageous step by resigning as a BJP member from the Rajya Sabha. I welcome his decision."

Sidhu's decision came on a day AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is touring Punjab as part of the party's intense push to capture power in the northern state by defeating the incumbent SAD-BJP alliance and Congress in a triangular contest.