AAP leaders sulk over Sidhu's likely entry

Even as Sidhu parries queries on whether he will join the AAP, dissent is brewing in Arvind Kejriwal's party, reports Komal Amit Gera.

Navjot Singh Sidhu's resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party has changed the dynamics of the upcoming assembly elections in Punjab.

If he joins the Aam Aadmi Party, his skills as an orator could help them to connect with Punjab's young vote bank. But resentment among local party leaders whose aspirations have been stymied could hurt the party's prospects at the hustings.

AAP's manifesto committee head Kanwar Sandhu has voiced his concern on social media about the effect on party workers if new leaders join the party with preconditions. He told Business Standard that Sidhu was a seasoned politician and was welcome if he joined the party without any preconditions.

The AAP has strengthened its base at the village and booth level across the state in the past year. A new leader who has not done any leg work for the party could find it difficult to be accepted by partymen.

The AAP desperately needs a leader to match the stature of Parkash Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Captain Amarinder Singh of the Congress. Sidhu may not have their mass appeal, but he is a youth icon and has a clean image.

Also, the AAP's top leaders in Punjab -- Bhagwant Mann, MP from Sangrur, and Succha Singh Chottepur, state party convener -- cannot be fielded against the seasoned leaders of rival parties.

Sidhu's foray has galvanised party workers but leaders with political aspirations are finding it difficult to accept him. Chottepur said efforts were being made to infuse confidence among party workers but he was silent on the effect of Sidhu's appointment on senior leaders.

The Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress have deep pockets and the AAP is finding it difficult to mobilise funds. Sources said the AAP would accommodate those with a strong financial base in the distribution of tickets.

Sidhu's wife, a sitting MLA and chief parliamentary secretary in the Badal government, is expected to resign. However, the AAP constitution allows only one member of a family to seek ticket.

IMAGE: Navjot Singh Sidhu addresses a press conference in New Delhi. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI