‘Bhagwant Mann was ready to be my deputy in Congress’: Navjot Singh Sidhu

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has revealed that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann once expressed interest in joining the Congress, and was willing to serve as Sidhu’s deputy.

“I can tell you one thing about who had approached (me). Bhagwant Mann sahab had come to me,” Sidhu claimed during an interview to a news channel, his latest salvo at the Aam Aadmi Party leader.

“He told me paaji, I am ready to be your deputy if I get him to join the Congress. And he also told me that if you come to the Aam Aadmi Party, still he was ready to be my deputy,” the former Punjab Congress chief added.

Sidhu made the revelation while addressing speculation about his potential move to the BJP and whether he had been contacted by the party.

In the course of their discussion, Sidhu mentioned his loyalty to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stating it was not feasible for him to abandon them.

He said he advised Mann that if he was serious, he should consider joining Congress and engage with the party’s leadership in Delhi. Following this advice, there were no further talks between the two.

Amid buzz that the cricketer-turned-politician may throw a political googly, Sidhu said he was dedicated to serving the people of Punjab and criticised the AAP government under Mann for the state’s escalating debt.

“They travel in aircraft and luxury vehicles, but the debt burden falls on the shoulders of Punjabis,” Sidhu charged.

Rumours are rife that Sidhu may return to the BJP ranks ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Sidhu has been on the warpath with the Congress’s Punjab leadership and has been skipping meetings and flouting party directives by holding his own rallies.

Sources said senior party leaders have sought disciplinary action against Sidhu over his recent conduct.