‘Sidhu may not join AAP as he won’t have his way’

While Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has said cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was welcome to join AAP, party insiders say his joining the party is highly unlikely. A highly placed source in AAP said, “Sidhu wanted to be projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the party as soon […]

Navjot Singh Sidhu

While Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has said cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was welcome to join AAP, party insiders say his joining the party is highly unlikely.

A highly placed source in AAP said, “Sidhu wanted to be projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the party as soon as he joined it. But since AAP is a party of volunteers, nobody could be inducted into it as the top candidate automatically.”

“It does not look like it (Sidhu joining AAP) will happen. The talks have failed,” said a Kejriwal aide. He said, if anybody was to be taken in the fold of the party on a pre-condition, it would not only set wrong precedent, but also send a wrong message to the public.

Senior party leaders told The Indian Express that the party was worried about who would be the face of AAP in Punjab. “People of this state certainly need a face. We are looking around. Somebody will emerge. But it is unclear yet,” said a source.

It is learnt that Sidhu’s wife met Kejriwal but the meeting was inconclusive.

Also, BJP insiders say the party is trying its utmost no to let Sidhu go. Sidhu and his wife Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who is an MLA, have openly expressed displeasure with the Akalis.

AAP Convenor Sucha Singh Chottepur has also made it clear that Sidhu would not be joining AAP. He went to the extent to saying that Sidhu was trying to bargain a good position in BJP by praising AAP.

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