Delhi: Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned as Rajya Sabha MP on Monday, just three months after his nomination by the Modi government, indicated that he was miffed with the state of affairs in his party.
"In the war of right or wrong, you can't afford to be neutral rather than being self-centered," cricketer-turned politician said, adding, "Punjab's interest is paramount."
At the same time, Sidhu, who was nominated on April 22, maintained that he had become RS MP at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi keeping in mind 'the welfare of Punjab'.
"With the closure of every window leading to Punjab the purpose stands defeated. It is now a mere burden. I prefer not to carry it," he said.
The resignation of 52-year-old Sidhu was accepted by Chairman Hamid Ansari with immediate effect.
Rajya Sabha deputy chairman PJ Kurien also announced in the House that the Chairman has accepted the resignation of Sidhu.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party's top leaders lapped up Sidhu's decision and hailed it as a bold step against corruption in Punjab.
"People can give their right hand for an RS seat. Ever seen a sitting RS MP resigning to save his state? I salute Sidhu ji for his courage," Kejriwal, who is currently touring Punjab, tweeted.
People can give their rt hand for an RS seat. Ever seen a sitting RS MP resigning to save his state? I salute Sidhu ji for his courage
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 18, 2016
There was speculation that Sidhu may be in the race for AAP's chief ministerial candidate in the state.
Top AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Lok Sabha member Bhagwant Singh Mann welcomed Sidhu's decision to resign from Rajya Sabha but parried questions whether he would join the party and become its chief ministerial face.
Sources said that Sidhu has been miffed with the party over the treatment meted out to him ever since he was made to make way for Arun Jaitley in Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, as per PTI.
His wife, Navjot Kaur, had created a flutter on April 1 (April Fool's day) announcing her resignation from the BJP.
"The burden is over," she had written on her Facebook post on April 1, but after a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi, she had said, "All is well" and had added that she was very much a part of BJP in Punjab.
Both Sidhu and his wife share an uneasy relationship with the Akali leadership.
(With Agency inputs)
