Amid reports that BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu is all set to join the AAP, the SAD is preparing to tackle this possible new threat to its electoral fortunes with a no holds barred campaign against the former cricketer. Although it is unclear if Sidhu has quit the BJP, the exit seems likely, and SAD is watching the development warily. With his popularity, Sidhu in AAP could give the party more traction and the Sikh face which it lacks right now. But Akali seniors say Sidhu outside BJP is easier to handle because it frees SAD from the restraint it had to show towards a member of a party with which it is in alliance. Watch Video: Navjot Singh Sidhu Quits Rajya Sabha: What Next [related-post] In the words of Naresh Gujral, the Akali MP, “An opponent or enemy within is more dangerous than one in front of you. The gloves are now off.” A firebrand orator, Sidhu has a history of making scathing attacks against CM Parkash Singh Badal, deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and minister Bikram Majithia, blaming them for trying to cut short his political stature by “scuttling” development works that he initiated. WATCH VIDEO: Keystrokes: Navjot Singh Sidhu's Reverse Sweep And as he went into self-imposed exile after being denied party ticket from Amritsar in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the three-time Amritsar MP’s wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, a Chief Parliamentary Secretary in Badal government, kept up the ante against the Badals. Months ago, she had made it clear that Sidhu will never campaign in Punjab as long as BJP did not sever its ties with SAD to contest assembly polls. With the BJP-led government at the Centre, its ally in Punjab, the SAD, especially Badals had to bite the bullet everytime they were targetted by Sidhu. Barring some occasions where SAD had no choice but to hit back strongly, the reactions by SAD had been restrained with Chief Minister Badal even saying once that Sidhu was “like his son”. Watch Video: What's making news But everything has changed now. As the news of Sidhu giving up his Rajya Sabha seat spread, and AAP rejoiced, owning him as key party leader in near future, the SAD did not waste any time. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal set the tone with comments to the media describing Sidhu as a “dal badloo” politician who had “no value”. SAD has also quickly latched on to videos that have started circulating in media and where Sidhu is heard bashing AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. “The same Sidhu called Kejriwal and AAP as nautanki baaz and nautanki party. He used to mince no words to slam or make fun of Kejriwal. Now, with what face is he going to join AAP? It is the height of opportunism,” said SAD spokesperson and education minister Daljit Singh Cheema. “If he was not happy with BJP, why did he accept to be nominated to Rajya Sabha in the first place. He did so only to increase his bargaining power with AAP. He already stands exposed and we will ensure that he is fully exposed as to how he only kept his personal benefits ahead.” Akali Dal has also prepared to counter Sidhu’s offensive that Badals tried to downsize his political career. “He (Sidhu) remained busy in TV shows and cricket commentary and himself did not visit Amritsar for a long period when he was Amritsar MP. Who can forget that posters of ‘missing Sidhu’ that had surfaced in Amritsar. He had issues with every political leader, be it from his own party or alliance partner,” said an Akali leader, maintaining that Sidhu was “jealous” of Badals’ focusing on the development of Amritsar.
