Sidhu sheds Rajya Sabha ‘burden’, quits

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 18

Apparently upset over being “denied” a “more important role” in the government and the party organisation, BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu today resigned from the Rajya Sabha amid speculations of moving to the Aam Aadmi Party.

In a statement, Sidhu said he “accepted the Rajya Sabha nomination for the welfare of Punjab” at the behest of the Prime Minister. “With the closure of every window leading to Punjab, the purpose stands defeated... now a mere burden. I prefer not to carry it. In the war of right or wrong, you can’t afford to be neutral or self-centred,” he said.

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Sidhu was nominated to the Rajya Sabha three months ago by the Modi government. His resignation was accepted by Chairman Hamid Ansari with immediate effect. Officially, the BJP refrained from making any cutting remarks about the former Amritsar MP, who it even “provided centrestage” at the recent national executive meeting in Allahabad with “an opportunity to express deep admiration” for Modi. 

Though party leader Vijay Goel said the BJP would “talk” to him, top sources said the leadership was “extremely upset” and would “make no further effort on the Sidhu front now”. Terming his decision as “gaddari” (betrayal) with the party he once called “his mother”, they said “Sidhu was nominated to the RS despite his continuous problems with the Akali Dal and opposition from a section within the BJP”. 

“Sidhu was never the face of the BJP in Punjab. His overall contribution to the party in the past two years has been negligible,” they said.

Though Sidhu has not resigned from the primary membership of the BJP, sources say it is a mere “formality” now. “He can send his resignation by fax or do it over the phone. If he joins another party, it will be seen as a resignation,” they add.

Sources close to him say the four-time MP felt “let down” when the Prime Minister preferred to include newcomers in his council, “ignoring his contribution to the party. He waited long enough”. Though his nomination to the RS was seen as a signal of a “bigger role” in the party organisation, it seems he was “unlikely to be given any significant responsibility” by Shah.

Sidhu had advocated parting ways with the Akalis in Punjab, but the suggestion was shot down by Shah, who decided to stick with “big brother Akalis” for the coming elections and allowed the ally to call the shots in that regard. “In these circumstances, there was little or no scope for Sidhu in Punjab”.

As per saffron leaders, Sidhu’s leaving would be no major setback to the SAD-BJP despite the AAP challenge. They also allege that Sidhu used his RS nomination to leverage a “better deal” with AAP.