The decision of Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu to start a indefinite fast from Saturday could well be a litmus test for the BJP leaders his political future and stature. What started from a Facebook post of his MLA wife,CPS and Amritsar MLA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu where she alleged that Sidhu was being sidelined and works pursued by him for Amritsar scuttled turned into a bitter war of words ever since he returned to the city on September 4. He returned to his constituency after eight months,and that too after a local Congress leader announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh to anyone who would bring missing Sidhu back to Amritsar. Soon,Sidhus remarks that he was being made to feel like an Opposition MP and that funds meant or development works in Amritsar were being diverted,turned it into a spat between Sidhu and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Taking note of Sidhus remarks,Badal said he suspected Sidhu of indulging in match fixing. This prompted Punjab BJP Affairs incharge,Shanta Kumar,to meet Sidhu. The meeting,however,failed though Kumar claimed the matter would be sorted out amicably. Later,Sidhu went to see party president Rajnath Singh. Rajnath,who met Badal as well,termed the issue as a minor one. The next day,Sidhu gave an ultimatum that he will announce his next course of action in case government did not assure him that his issues will be addressed. Following this,Sidhu announced his indefinite hungerstrike. The fast and its eventual outcome is set to become a barometer to evaluate the political future of the cricketer-turned MP.
