After Congress wapsi, Navjot Singh Sidhu says 'bhaag badal bhaag'

NEW DELHI: Padding up to play his debutant match in the Congress headquarters, cricketer-turned political Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday described himself as a “born Congressman making returning home and termed his erstwhile party BJP as “the Kaikeyi maa who tried to send me to van vaas”. In his characteristic boisterous manner Sidhu also sent out his war-cry against the Badals-led Akali Dal by saying, ‘bagh Badal, bagh” (flee, Badal, flee).

Addressing a news conference with AICC functionaries, Sidhu said he will be a “a Congress soldier” and his mission was to ensure the “redemption of Punjab from the misrule and of the Badal family, from the menace of drugs and its financial debt burden”.

Asked whether he would work with PCC chief Amarinder Singh, given that the two reportedly share an uneasy relationship, Sidhu said he had no problems in working under Singh. “When people sit across the table, a better understanding is reached. If nations can sort out their issues across the table and if Lalu and Nitish can come together, where is the problem,” he quipped.

Singh was conspicuously absent during Sidhu’s ‘ghar wapsi’. On his part Sidhu ducked questions on whether he would be the party’s CM or deputy CM if a government is formed by the Congress.

Asked how he had also bargained with AAP, Sidhu said, “even Arvind Kejriwal had said that I was ready to join him unconditionally. I never asked for anything. First, he (Kejriwal) said Sidhu could not contest the election. Then he was ready to offer me the deputy CM’s post. Tell me, how will Sidhu fight for Punjab without contesting from there? Had I wanted positions I would not have left the ruling party.”

Sidhu from Amritsar East

The AICC also expectedly fielded Sidhu from Amritsar East seat while Amarinder Singh, in addition to his Patiala seat, will fight against CM Badal from latter’s Lambi sitting seat. Ravneet Bittu, Congress MP and grandson of former CM Biant Singh, will take on deputy CM Sukhbir Badal from the lattter’s Jalalabad sitting seat.