Chandigarh, March 20 (IANS) This week marked the virtual end of cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu's innings on Punjab's political wicket. The high-profile star campaigner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been yanked off the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat and replaced by senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.
Sidhu, the only BJP Lok Sabha MP from Punjab, has been forced to exit as his differences with top BJP leaders in Punjab and with the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership hit a new high (or low!).
While replacing Sidhu, the BJP has not attributed any credible reasons why this has been done despite his having thrice won from Amritsar in 2004, 2007 (by-election) and 2009. The BJP offered him the West Delhi and Kurukshetra (Haryana) seats but he refused to contest from anywhere but Amritsar.
Known for his maverick ways on the cricket and political field, Sidhu seemed to have bitten off more than what he could chew when he took on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also president of the Akali Dal, last year. He remained at loggerheads with powerful Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Sukhbir Badal's brother-in-law.
Sidhu openly accused the Badal-led government, which is an alliance of the Akali Dal and BJP, of discrimination against the Amritsar constituency in matters of development and funding. He even accused the government of diverting funds meant for Amritsar to other areas.
Though he was the best known face of the BJP in Punjab, Sidhu's run-ins with senior state leaders led to his alienation in the party and the government. The result was that Sidhu found himself politically isolated. Senior party leaders from Amritsar, including cabinet minister Anil Joshi, openly opposed his re-nomination from the seat and demanded that Jaitley be fielded instead. Sidhu's only support came from his wife and BJP legislator Navjot Kaur, who is chief parliamentary secretary in the Badal government.
The upshot was that when Jaitley, leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, arrived in Amritsar, Sidhu was conspicuous by his absence despite being the incumbent MP. The rest of the BJP and Akali Dal leadership was present in full strength to welcome Jaitley.
Differences with other leaders apart, what went against Sidhu was the way he was "missing" from his constituency for months together at least three times in recent years. Years ago, Sidhu had even walked out of the Indian cricket team in the middle of a tour of England after his differences with the team management. That led to his exit from the team for quite a while.
Sidhu, who has been BJP's star campaigner in several other states, seems to have ended up on the negative side in Punjab's politics. His political innings in the state seems to have ended - at least for now!
Smriti Mandhana Birthday: This player, known as 'National Crush', earns crores, know how much is his net worth.
Smriti Mandhana Net Worth. Indian women's team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is celebrating her 28th birthday today. Fans are congratulating Smriti, known as National Crush, on her birthday in
SC reserves verdict on plea against IT act provisions
New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) The Supreme Court Thursday reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of section 66A of the Information Technology Act and other
Raahgiri Day for disabled held
New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) The ministry of social justice and empowerment Sunday organised "Raahgiri day for persons with disabilities" here.A first of its kind event was organised as a unique
There is no ban on the Muharram procession: CM Yogi said- asked to reduce the size of Tajiya so that it does not collide with the HT line
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while talking to news agency PTI, spoke openly on everything from the development of the state to law and order. He said that the state is making rapid
Kisan Andolan: Farmers march to Delhi today, huge rally in Patiala; Warning of agitation if demands are not met
The main factions of the United Kisan Morcha, BKU Ugrahan, Krantikari Kisan Union, and BKU Dakaunda (Dhaner) held a massive rally at Pudda Ground in Patiala on Tuesday. On this occasion, farmers
Bihar Politics: The Country's first economic survey report based on caste was presented; SC is the poorest and the general category is the least poor.
Today is the second day of the winter session of the Bihar Legislature. As soon as the session started, the economic report of the caste-based census was presented on the table of the House. It was in
Another booster of RBI, Repo rate reduced to 4%, EMI Moratorium further increased
new Delhi
Today's Celebrity Lifestyle: Samantha Ruth Prabhu or Naga Chaitanya Who Earns More? Know the net worth of both
Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya are the famous stars of South Indian cinema. Both were once the most popular couple in the industry but when both of them decided to part ways, their fans were
Pulwama Attack: 'I feel the same fire in my heart...' India took revenge only 12 days after PM's challenge
14 February 2019 was the day when 44 CRPF personnel were martyred in a terrorist attack. Today it has been four years since this incident, but its wounds are still fresh. Today the whole country is
Mary Kom to be brand ambassador of northeast
New Delhi/Agartala, March 15 (IANS) The central government will appoint Olympic medallist boxer M.C. Mary Kom as the brand ambassador for northeast India to promote the region in the rest of the
