Navjot Sidhu quits as RS MP, AAP welcomes move  

New Delhi: BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Narendra Modi government, on Monday tendered his resignation from the House of Elders sparking off speculation that he may join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

“Navjot Singh Sidhu, nominated member, resigns from Rajya Sabha,” Gurdeep Singh Sappal, OSD to the Vice President Hamid Ansari said in a tweet.
The resignation letter has been addressed to Ansari, who is chairman of the Rajya Sabha, official sources said, adding he is likely to accept the resignation.
The resignation came as a big surprise to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which shares power with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. The state is expected to go to the polls early next year.
Reacting to the development, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said, “We welcome the resignation of Sidhu from Rajya Sabha. For other queries you have, it’s all premature.”

Sanjay Singh also said the resignation of the cricketer-turned-politician from the Upper House is seen as a “protest” against the ongoing Akali-BJP dispensation in Punjab.
“All right minded people should join this dharam yudh (righteous battle) against corruption,” the AAP leader said.
AAP is seen as a contender for power in Punjab.
“Sidhu is indeed a big force as he played a vital role in the politics of Punjab and also brought laurels to the nation in cricket. He always raised the matters of Punjab credibly at the national and state level, and he and his wife continuously raised their voice against the corruption of the Akalis and the drug menace there,” Sanjay Singh said.
IANS
Sidhu likely to join AAP: Navjot Singh Sidhu is likely to join the Aam Aadmi Party.
Confirming the move, AAP’s Punjab Convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur tweeted, “Appreciate Navjot Sidhu and Navjot Kaur Sidhu move, looking forward for their Welcome to @AAPPunjab2017 @AamAadmiParty.”
Though AAP leaders in Delhi have officially refused to confirm the development, they have not ruled out the possibility of Sidhu and his wife joining the AAP.

AAP’s media coordinator Deepak Bajpai said that the party welcomes Sidhu’s move and did not rule out the possibility of his joining AAP.
“Doors of the AAP are open for anybody who believes in clean politics and wants to fight against corruption. We welcome his move,” Bajpai said.