Putting an end to all speculation about his political future, former parliamentarian Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday formally launched his “forum” ‘Awaaz-e-Punjab’ for the “resurrection and redemption of Punjab”.
At the same time, the cricketer-turned-politician remained non-committal on Awaaz-e-Punjab’s plans for contesting 2017 State Assembly elections, and evaded a clear reply on his being no more a part of the saffron brigade.
His much-awaited Press conference to formally launch Awaaz-e-Punjab was aimed largely at buying time from the people of Punjab on the issue of slugging it out in the political battlefield. In fact, Sidhu remained short of calling his outfit a political party.
He preferred to use the term “forum of like-minded people” and “good Punjabis” before saying that the vagueness shrouding his party’s picture would turn lucid by month end.
“We need 15-20 days…we will tell you what form it will take… we will get back to you with our decision and more details. We are getting overwhelming response, but we need time to channelize it in the right direction for Punjab’s interest,” said Sidhu, while starting his new political inning with the state assembly polls just about less than six months away.
“Awaaz-e-Punjab is not a party, at this stage…it is a forum of like-minded people…good Punjabis,” he said, in his characteristic style.
Accompanied by his colleagues and founding-members of the forum — Olympian and SAD’s “suspended” MlA Pargat Singh, MlA Balwinder Singh Bains and MlA Simarjeet Singh Bains (known as Bains brothers), Sidhu said that the move to launch the new outfit was to ensure that people in Punjab and Punjabiyat won.
“Our slogan is ‘Punjab will win’ this time. Punjabiyat will win’. Our fight is against the system that has ruined Punjab. People with selfish interests have overridden interests of the state. People want change in governance,” he said.
Indian hockey team’s former captain Pargat Singh was last month suspended from the Akali Dal for “anti-party” activities. The Bains brothers, who had fallen out with the SAD top leadership three years ago, have significant influence in ludhiana district.
After stepping down as Rajya Sabha member on July 18, Sidhu had floated the new political front online on September 2.
Even as Pargat Singh and Bains Brothers had earlier hinted that “many more” “like-minded” are expected to join them in the coming days, Sidhu did not give any clear response.
Coming out with blazing guns at his political friends-turned-rivals at the national and state level, Sidhu attacked left, right and center, sparing none. He launched a scathing attack on the emerging Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its chief Arvind Kejriwal, the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) especially the Badals, and his own party — the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with his straight drives.
“I had resigned from the Rajya Sabha as I was given two options — either to support and campaign for Badals or not to look towards Punjab…I refused to accept either of these two conditions and resigned,” said Sidhu, cladded in all black.
Attacking the Badals, he said that the Government should be for the people but in Punjab, “it is all about one family...kaale Badal are hovering. Kaale badal cheer kar sooraj nikalna chahiye (let the sun shine after tearing its way through dark clouds).”
Sidhu, sporting a black turban, said that there was a tradition in India that good people are kept as decoration pieces and used only for campaigning.
“Resigning from the Rajya Sabha had nothing to do with Arvind Kejriwal,” he clarified adding that he had also refused a Rajya Sabha seat two years ago when he was called by BJP stalwarts Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, who told that Jaitely would be spearheading the Amritsar campaign, and offered me Rajya Sabha seat to make up for.
Taking Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal head on, Sidhu said that he only want “yes-man”. “Kejriwal thinks he’s the only honourable person in this world. What about usIJ” he asked.
“Kejriwal tweeted that I had laid down no conditions ahead of a potential move to the AAP, but that was a half-truth,” said Sidhu melodramatically, adding that he complete that.
“I had asked him to define my role…I told them you are one of the choice for me which I want to explore…I wanted to know their motive and intent…After all the party is only around two years old…like a newborn…I have come after leaving a 60-year-old party…I told him I was coming for the sake of Punjab,” said Sidhu.
Sidhu said that he was asked not to contest the election but campaign for the party, and offered to make my wife a minister if AAP wins elections. “I said ‘Sat Sri Akal’ and left,” he said adding that they wanted to make me another decoration piece.