New Delhi: Congress on Friday extended an olive branch to former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying he was “most welcome” to join the party and insisted that its Punjab unit chief Amarinder Singh was on the same page.
Amid speculation over Mr Sidhu joining the party, Mr Singh met Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and is learnt to have discussed the issue besides the political situation in poll-bound Punjab.
Sources said Mr Singh is also learnt to have discussed the party’s prospects in Punjab and about the probable candidates for the upcoming assembly polls.
Congress, which is seeking to wrest power after a decade of political wilderness, is trying to strengthen its position and sees Mr Sidhu as an effective campaigner who could add more punch in reaching out to people at a time when Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP is keeping it on tenterhooks.
“Sidhu is most welcome to join the party. It will be a wise decision on his part,” Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar told mediapersons while replying to a volley of questions on the issue.
He added that if Mr Sidhu recognises the leadership and the values of the Congress and joins the party, it would be a wise decision on his part and we welcome his wisdom.
Former PCC chief Pratap Singh Bajwa has been batting for Mr Sidhu while Mr Singh has lately been critical of the cricketer- turned-politician.
Mr Sidhu, who quit his Rajya Sabha seat and the BJP, formed a non-political outfit Awaaz-e-Punjab but is yet to align with any party. Earlier, he was speculated to join the AAP that did not materialise.
PTI