Sidhu didn’t put forth any conditions, needs time: Kejriwal

Friday, 19/08/2016

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/sidhu-didn-t-put-forth-any-conditions-needs-time-kejriwal/282441.html

Chandigarh : Asserting that he had great respect for cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said Sidhu’s request for wanting more time to take a decision on whether to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) must be respected.

“Wud Navjot Sidhu ji join AAP- lot of rumours? Its my duty to put forward our side. We have greatest regard for this ckt legend,” Kejriwal said in a series of tweets.

Revealing that Sidhu met him last week, he said the former parliamentarian did not put forth any pre-conditions and that he needed time to think, which must be respected.

“He is a v gud human being a ckt legend. My respect for him wud continue whether he joins or not,” the AAP chief said.

The AAP on Thursday said it was Sidhu’s decision to quit the Rajya Sabha and it would be his call to join the Kejriwal-led party.

As per media reports, Sidhu’s joining the AAP is hanging fire, since he failed to cut ice with the AAP leadership over his demand of the party’s chief ministerial candidature in Punjab and a ticket for his wife Navjot Kaur in the upcoming Assembly elections.

AAP sources said Sidhu wanted the party to project him as the chief ministerial candidate, which was flatly denied.

Further, Sidhu wanted the party’s ticket for his wife as well, to which, the AAP leadership cited the party’s constitution that didn’t allow more than one member of a family to contest the elections or hold party post.

Sidhu had resigned from the Rajya Sabha membership of the BJP last month. Reports followed that he would join the AAP as the CM candidate from Punjab. AAP leaders welcomed him. However, later, Sidhu went into a political shell not giving any hint about his plans.

Police commissioner, speaking on the occasion, said that the police has been extending its network to keep a tab on anti-social and criminal elements.

The area falling under the post is considered one of the crucial entry points to the city which was required to be brought under police vigil on priority, added Shukla.

Shukla appealed to the people to enhance their engagement with the police for peace in and around the city.

Good Samaritans must come forward and inform the police if they suspect any criminal activities, he said.

There are six police posts namely Paragpur, Jandiala, Bus stand, Fatehpur, Devi Talab Temple and Dakoha already functional under the commissionerate.

This is the seventh police post in the city.

Sub-inspector (SI) Beer Singh also assumed the charge of the post on the occasion. Prominent among those present on the occasion included deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Harjit Singh, ADCP-II Amrik Singh Powar, ADCP traffic RPS Sandhu and others.