Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh had named Sidhu a “force multiplier” lately but it stays being seen if Sidhu is going to be in a position to do justice to his purpose of star campaigner so close to the elections, particularly when he has also made the decision to fight the Amritsar East seat in place of his wife. Simultaneously, a segment of Congress leaders is unhappy with exactly how Sidhu dithered and disregarded the proper time to play a role to the party’s campaign.
The media hype all over Sidhu’s “comeback” in Punjab state policies, which went up with his resigning from Rajya Sabha on July 18, 2016, has waned significantly. The simple fact that he was observed cozying around both AAP and the Congress, in that which was classified by his rivals as an effort “to strike the best deal”, has not assisted the scenario very much. AAP sources had disclosed that aside from the deputy CM’s post if the party reached power, he had also wanted a commitment that candidates of his suggestions will be fielded on certain seats.
Questioned what would the party would achieve from Sidhu’s entry, Amarinder states in in an interview with TOI last week, “Any party gains if someone known joins in. In his case, he has two plus points. For one, he has played cricket and Indian is crazy about cricket. So he’s known. Secondly, he’s into this comedy show. I have never watched it and I am told it’s a popular show. He has also been an MP twice.”
Sidhu, who comes from Patiala, grew to become MP for the 1st time contesting on BJP ticket from Amritsar in 2004. He afterwards successfully contested the Amritsar byelection and once again kept the seat in the 2009 general elections.
In April 2016, he had taken oath to be a member of the Rajya Sabha, but resigned soon after three months. Soon afterwards he also quit from the BJP and with the goal of fighting all anti-Punjab forces, created a new political front – Awaaz-e-Punjab, together with former hockey player Pargat Singh.
