Will not contest under SAD-BJP alliance: Navjot Sidhu's wife

Chandigarh, Feb 10: A day after SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal described the alliance with BJP as "permanent", BJP MLA from Amritsar Navjot Kaur Sidhu today reiterated her stand that she would not contest 2017 Punjab assembly polls on BJP ticket if it fights polls in alliance with the SAD.

"My stand is clear. I will not contest if the alliance (between SAD and BJP) remains. I respect party's decision. But my stand remains the same," Sidhu said today.

She further said, "party's decision is supreme but one or two persons do not make a party. We respect the decision that they (SAD and BJP) are going to contest jointly."

"Our stand is clear that neither we will contest under SAD-BJP alliance nor we will campaign for the party," she said.

However, Sidhu, wife of cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, said she will contest the 2017 Punjab assembly polls.

"Till now I will definitely contest next polls," she said. When asked whether she will contest as Independent or from other party ticket, Sidhu said she would take a decision in this regard at the appropriate time.

She further said, "Earlier, I did not know about the functioning of Akali Dal. Now I know how Akali Dal functions. Person makes mistake once not twice. I do not like their functioning (SAD) they do not like mine."

When asked whether AAP has approached her or her husband, she said she would not comment on this matter. She, however, further said that voters should support those who talk about the vision of the state.

Yesterday, after meeting BJP president Amit Shah at Delhi, SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal rubbished the talks and media reports about strains between Akalis and BJP and described the alliance as "permanent".

Sukhbir had also said, "The Akali Dal and BJP are like one party and would not just contest the next election together but also elections in next 20 years."

Last year, Sidhu, who is Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the SAD-BJP government had, accused the SAD leadership of "not giving" proper attention to her constituency."

She had alleged that the SAD leaders were "responsible for sidelining the Sidhu family" and "there is no say of BJP workers in the state."

PTI