Refusing to clear air about his status as BJP member, Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday said that his newly-launched Awaz-e-Punjab is not a political party as yet, but a political forum for all honest and likeminded people who want to see a new and prosperous Punjab.
Moving ahead of his position after his resignation from the Rajya Sabha and deliberations with the AAP for almost two months, Mr Sidhu on Thursday charged that Mr Arvind Kejriwal only needs a “yes man” in his party. “Keriwal thinks he is the only honest person in the world and honesty is his copy right,” Mr Sidhu said.
Attacking the AAP, Mr Sidhu said that in his meeting with Mr Kejriwal he had asked him to define his role in the party. “He (Kejriwal) said that do not contest elections, we will make your wife a Cabinet minister. When I consulted my wife on this, she said that why do you want to remain a decorative piece even now. She said that why is he (Kejriwal) so insecure,” he added.
Comparing the AAP with East India Company, Mr Sidhu said, “In history, we read about East India Company, where a handful of foreigners exploited Indians. Now, it is central India company where 42 people from Delhi are exploiting Punjabis by dividing them. Three people are trying to rule 3 crore Punjabis, ” he said.
He said that the AAP was not the reason for his resignation from the Rajya Sabha, “I resigned for my own reasons, they (BJP) forced me to campaign for Badals, then they said don’t go towards Punjab, this was unacceptable to me, it was a conscious decision.” However, Mr Sidhu evaded questions about his status as BJP member, saying, “You should ask BJP leaders about my status as a BJP member.”
Talking about the roadmap ahead of Awaz-e-Punjab, Mr Sidhu said they will work for resurrection and redemption of Punjab. “Good people have been removed from system and they are watching from sidelines silently. This is also a crime to remain silent,” said Mr Sidhu.
“This time Punjab will win. This is our slogan. Today Punjab is a beggar under debts. If Punjab has to win, it needs a person who will work selflessly and not just be a decoration piece. We need to shake the system,” he added.
Other members of the new front include former Indian hockey team captain Pargat Singh and two independent legislators, Balwinder Singh Bains and Simarjeet Singh Bains.
