Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Awaaz-e-Punjab appears to be collapsing like a house of cards.
Ever since he floated apolitical forum, Awaaz-e-Punjab, along with independent MlAs Bawinder Bains and Simarjit Bains, popularly known as ‘Bains Brothers’, and SAD rebel and Olympian Pargat Singh, Sidhu has been carefully weighing his options — whether to join the Congress or the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). But, the other members seem to have lost on their patience with the 2017 State Assembly polls inching closer.
Notwithstanding Awaaz-e-Punjab members’ claims that the outfit stand united, the Bains brothers on Monday stunned the political observers by joining hands with the AAP. If that is not enough, Indian Hockey team’s former captain Pargat Singh may also leave Sidhu to hold the Congress’ “hand”.
Bains Brothers, who have announced their lok Insaaf Party’s alliance with the AAP, have been given five seats to contest, including their traditional seats in ludhiana — ludhiana South and Atam Nagar to be contested by Balwinder and Simarjeet respectively.
Interestingly, Balwinder Bains has maintained that the Awaaz-e-Punjab was in contact with both the AAP and the Congress, but Sidhu wanted to go with the Congress, and we were against it. He claimed that Sidhu’s talks were not materialising with the Congress as the grand-old party was insisting on merger instead of alliance.
The senior Bains insisted that they would try to persuade Sidhu and Pargat Singh also to join hands with the AAP.
“Our fight is against the corruption unleashed in Punjab by the Badals. That is why we have done an alliance with the AAP,” he said.
Sidhu, in September, had announced the ‘Awaaz-e-Punjab’ saying that his fight was against the system and the leaders who had ruined Punjab. “At this stage, Awaaz-e-Punjab is not a party. It is a forum for good governance,” Sidhu had announced at its launch.
later, Sidhu had threw surprise while announcing that the Awaaz-e-Punjab would not contest 2017 polls but would “soon” decided whom it will support — a decision which was delayed interminably.
Bains brothers’ close aide told The Pioneer that the duo always wanted to contest elections, and that was why the Awaaz-e-Punjab was launched. “However, they did not want to waste precious time as just about two months have left for the elections, and they could not stand the delay by Sidhu in deciding forum’s fate…Moreover, they have floated their own party which was recently recognised by the Election commission…so they decided to go with AAP,” he said.
With Pargat Singh is also expected to join the Congress anytime now, Sidhu and his wife Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu have been left marooned, as of now.
Pargat, who was suspended from the Akali Dal for “anti-party” activities in August this year, bid adieu to the ruling party while assailing the Badals, especially SAD chief and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, from left, right and centre. Congress sources informed that the former hockey player may soon join Congress.
On the other hand, Pargat Singh termed as “rumours” the reports of his joining Congress.
“I am yet to take a call on my next political move…any decision would be taken after meeting Sidhu,” he said.
Pargat informed that he was scheduled to meet Sidhu on Wednesday and final decision would be taken following that, “I am going to Delhi on Wednesday to meet Navjot Sidhu and would take the final decision on my future political strategy after that,” he said.
The development has altered the equations in the Punjab political scene. Bains brother, who turned rebel and parted ways with the Akali Dal before 2012 polls, have considerable grip in ludhiana which may help the AAP to improve its declining graph.