New Delhi: Amid speculations of Navjot Singh Sidhu being projected as the AAP’s chief ministerial candidate for the Punjab Assembly polls, senior party leader Ashutosh today said that they are in talks with the former BJP member but added it is not definite as to when would he join the party fold.
AAP leader Ashutosh said that the rumours doing round in the political arena are just media speculations, adding no information is credible.
“Yes Sidhu is in contact with us, we have spoken with him, there is no two way about it. But it is not definite when will he join the party,” said Ashutosh.
“There are just different types of media speculations doing rounds. And we cannot give any reaction on the basis of media speculations,” he added.
The AAP leader also made it clear that the decision on the chief ministerial candidate will be taken later.
“Let him (Sidhu) join the party once, then will talk about it,” he said.
According to reports, Sidhu might join the AAP in Punjab. The former cricketer, who was thrice the Lok Sabha member from the BJP, was asked to step away from contesting the polls in Amritsar during the 2014 general election to make way for fellow member Arun Jaitley.
Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur has, however, clarified that she still remains with the BJP.
Sources said Navjot Kaur was abstaining from joining the AAP before August perhaps to avert by-poll in her constituency before the scheduled assembly elections because her joining the AAP will lead to her disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law.
The AAP Constitution too doesn’t allow two members of a family to hold any office within the party, including the elected post, sources added.
Sidhu’s campaign may help the AAP increase its tally as he has been attacking the incumbent Akali government openly.
There is also “possibility of a revolt in the AAP, if the party projects a chief ministerial candidate” before the Punjab polls, they said.
Meanwhile, the party is set to release its first list of around 30 candidates for the Punjab elections by the end of July. (ANI)