AAP, Sidhu front talks end in stalemate

“We discussed it among ourselves. We cannot deny party workers their right by getting 25-30 candidates from outside. This will only be counter-productive." Senior AAP leader

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Awaz-e-Punjab founding member Navjot Singh Sidhu (File photo)

TALKS BETWEEN cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s Awaaz-e-Punjab and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seem to have reached a dead end. Both sides were engaged in talks for the first time in July. According to AAP, Sidhu’s outfit had asked for 25-30 Assembly seats and the deputy chief minister’s post apart from four to five Cabinet berths. But AAP refused to accept that. It had offered four to five seats only, said a source.

Simarjit Singh Bains, a legislator from Ludhiana and a member of Awaaz-e-Punjab, denied having asked for anything. “We are talking only to give the people of Punjab a befitting political option.” A senior AAP leader, however, said that Sidhu and his aides were in constant touch with Congress strategist Prashant Kishor. In fact, Kishor had met Sidhu over dinner last Thursday. “They are being sold a dream of a Congress minus state president Captain Amarinder Singh. They, however, do not realise that this is not going to happen.”

AAP was negotiating with Sidhu for the last 10 days after the party had assigned a two-member team, comprising its national organisation building head Durgesh Pathak and Amloh candidate Gurpreet Singh Bhatti to finalise the deal. When Pathak and Bhatti met Sidhu’s outfit at his residence, both sides stuck to their demands, it is learnt.

The AAP leader said they cannot be more flexible. “We discussed it among ourselves. We cannot deny party workers their right by getting 25-30 candidates from outside. This will only be counter-productive. On the other hand, if Sidhu and party join Congress, the euphoria will last only 10-15 days. We can do without them.”

Bains, who had earlier said that they would announce the final decision on November 4, said, “There is no development on our front yet.”
Congress is also maintaining silence. Former state party president Partap Singh Bajwa, who had been showering Sidhu with praise the other day, suggesting that he be brought on board, has been maintaining a low profile.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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