Most of the veterans in Punjab elections had to face the dust due to a massive upset.

SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal, Capt Amarinder Singh, Sukhbir Badal, and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi lost the election.

Amarinder Singh, who ran as a Punjab Lok Congress candidate in an alliance with the BJP in Patiala, was defeated by Ajitpal Singh Kohli of the AAP.

Both Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur were lost to Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

In Jalalabad, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was defeated.

PPCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu and senior SAD leader Bikram Majithia were defeated by AAP's Jeevan Jot Kaur in Amritsar East.&nbsp;

Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time Punjab chief minister and SAD patriarch, was beaten by AAP candidate and his closest challenger Gurmeet Singh Khudian in his home turf Lambi.&nbsp;

The SAD patriarch, who was 94 years old at the time, was the oldest candidate running in the Punjab assembly elections in 2022.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Most of the veterans in Punjab elections had to face the dust due to a massive upset. SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal, Capt Amarinder Singh, Sukhbir Badal, and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi lost the election.

Most of the veterans in Punjab elections had to face the dust due to a massive upset. SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal, Capt Amarinder Singh, Sukhbir Badal, and Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi lost the election. Amarinder Singh, who ran as a Punjab Lok Congress candidate in an alliance with the BJP in Patiala, was defeated by Ajitpal Singh Kohli of the AAP. Both Chamkaur Sahib and Bhadaur were lost to Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. In Jalalabad, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was defeated. PPCC president Navjot Singh Sidhu and senior SAD leader Bikram Majithia were defeated by AAP's Jeevan Jot Kaur in Amritsar East. Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time Punjab chief minister and SAD patriarch, was beaten by AAP candidate and his closest challenger Gurmeet Singh Khudian in his home turf Lambi. The SAD patriarch, who was 94 years old at the time, was the oldest candidate running in the Punjab assembly elections in 2022. (With inputs from agencies)

Parkash Singh Badal, Charanjit Channi, Navjot Sidhu, Amarinder Singh and Majithia lose election

Razia Sultana put in her papers as the Punjab Cabinet minister in "solidarity" with Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned from the post of the state Congress chief on Tuesday.

Sultana is considered close to Sidhu and her husband Mohd Mustafa, a former IPS officer, is a principal strategic adviser to the Congress leader.

In her resignation letter to Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the minister said, "I, Razia Sultana, hereby resign as cabinet minister, Punjab, in solidarity with Navjot Singh Sidhu, PPCC president, and millions of Congress workers across the state."

"I will continue to work for the party as a worker in the best interest of Punjab. My heartfelt thanks to Sonia Gandhiji, hon'ble Congress president, and Rahul Gandhiji for their countless blessings on me and my family in our hours of need," she said in her resignation letter.

Mustafa shared the resignation of his wife on his Twitter handle.

"So proud of my wife Razia Sultana for her principled decision to resign in the best interest of Cong and its leadership, in particular Rahul Gandhi our benefactor," tweeted Mustafa.

Both Mustafa and Sultana went to Patiala to meet Sidhu at his residence there.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-appoints-navjot-singh-sidhu-as-chief-of-punjab-congress-398928">&nbsp;Sonia Gandhi appoints Navjot Singh Sidhu as Chief of Punjab Congress</a>

Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, plunging the party into a fresh crisis just months ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Sidhu quit the post shortly after the allocation of portfolios to members of the new state Cabinet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/punjab-chief-minister-amarinder-singh-opposes-challenge-to-gandhi-family-leadership-322589">Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh opposes challenge to Gandhi family leadership</a>

In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he said he will continue to serve the party.

Sidhu had taken over as the state party chief in July amid a bitter power tussle with Amarinder Singh, who stepped down as CM 10 days back while accusing the party high command of humiliating him.

The Charanjit Singh Channi-led government in Punjab on Tuesday allotted portfolios to all ministers in the state, two days after 15 ministers were inducted.

Sultana has been allotted departments of water supply and sanitation, social security, women and child development and printing and stationery.

Earlier, she held the charge of the transport department in the Amarinder Singh-led government.

Razia Sultana put in her papers as the Punjab Cabinet minister in "solidarity" with Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned from the post of the state Congress chief on Tuesday.

Razia Sultana put in her papers as the Punjab Cabinet minister in "solidarity" with Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned from the post of the state Congress chief on Tuesday. Sultana is considered close to Sidhu and her husband Mohd Mustafa, a former IPS officer, is a principal strategic adviser to the Congress leader. In her resignation letter to Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, the minister said, "I, Razia Sultana, hereby resign as cabinet minister, Punjab, in solidarity with Navjot Singh Sidhu, PPCC president, and millions of Congress workers across the state." "I will continue to work for the party as a worker in the best interest of Punjab. My heartfelt thanks to Sonia Gandhiji, hon'ble Congress president, and Rahul Gandhiji for their countless blessings on me and my family in our hours of need," she said in her resignation letter. Mustafa shared the resignation of his wife on his Twitter handle. "So proud of my wife Razia Sultana for her principled decision to resign in the best interest of Cong and its leadership, in particular Rahul Gandhi our benefactor," tweeted Mustafa. Both Mustafa and Sultana went to Patiala to meet Sidhu at his residence there. Also read | Sonia Gandhi appoints Navjot Singh Sidhu as Chief of Punjab Congress Sidhu on Tuesday resigned as the chief of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, plunging the party into a fresh crisis just months ahead of the assembly elections in the state. Sidhu quit the post shortly after the allocation of portfolios to members of the new state Cabinet. Also read | Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh opposes challenge to Gandhi family leadership In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he said he will continue to serve the party. Sidhu had taken over as the state party chief in July amid a bitter power tussle with Amarinder Singh, who stepped down as CM 10 days back while accusing the party high command of humiliating him. The Charanjit Singh Channi-led government in Punjab on Tuesday allotted portfolios to all ministers in the state, two days after 15 ministers were inducted. Sultana has been allotted departments of water supply and sanitation, social security, women and child development and printing and stationery. Earlier, she held the charge of the transport department in the Amarinder Singh-led government.

Minister in India's Punjab quits after Navjot Sidhu resigns as state Congress chief

Pakistan PM Imran Khan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/navjot-sidhu-should-contest-election-in-pakistan-he-will-win-surely-says-imran-khan-179998">said the Kashmir problem between</a> India and Pakistan can be solved during his speech after laying the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/all-you-need-to-know-about-kartarpur-corridor-project-180005">Also See:&nbsp;All you need to know about </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/all-you-need-to-know-about-kartarpur-corridor-project-180005">Kartarpur</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/all-you-need-to-know-about-kartarpur-corridor-project-180005"> Corridor Project</a>

"Human beings have reached the moon, so why can't this be solved," he asked. "Just political will is needed," he said.

"France and Germany who fought so many battles in the past,&nbsp;can come together. so why can't we?" he asked the crowd gathered to celebrate the stone laying ceremony.

During his speech, the Pakistan PM assured the Sikh community that facilities at Kartarpur will be better for 550th birth celebrations for Guru Nanak Dev.

"My army, political parties, me, all are on the same page, we want to go forward. We want to have a civilised relationship," he said.

"Take the example of China, in the last 30 years they have alleviated millions of poor. We should think about poverty," the Pakistan&nbsp;prime minister asserted.

Imran Khan reiterated his point saying if "India took one step, Pakistan would take two steps".

"Both the sides have committed mistakes, we will not be able to go forward...point scoring will continue," he asserted.

"Maji (past) is for learning, seeking lessons not to live with it," he observed.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan said the Kashmir problem between India and Pakistan can be solved during his speech after laying the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan said the Kashmir problem between India and Pakistan can be solved during his speech after laying the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor. Also See: All you need to know about Kartarpur Corridor Project "Human beings have reached the moon, so why can't this be solved," he asked. "Just political will is needed," he said. "France and Germany who fought so many battles in the past, can come together. so why can't we?" he asked the crowd gathered to celebrate the stone laying ceremony. During his speech, the Pakistan PM assured the Sikh community that facilities at Kartarpur will be better for 550th birth celebrations for Guru Nanak Dev. "My army, political parties, me, all are on the same page, we want to go forward. We want to have a civilised relationship," he said. "Take the example of China, in the last 30 years they have alleviated millions of poor. We should think about poverty," the Pakistan prime minister asserted. Imran Khan reiterated his point saying if "India took one step, Pakistan would take two steps". "Both the sides have committed mistakes, we will not be able to go forward...point scoring will continue," he asserted. "Maji (past) is for learning, seeking lessons not to live with it," he observed.

Watch: Just political will needed to solve Kashmir, says Pak PM Imran Khan during Kartarpur ceremony

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is so popular in Pakistan that he can contest and win an election here.

Imran Khan was speaking on the occasion of foundation <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-paks-imran-khan-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-kartarpur-corridor-today-179875">stone-laying ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor.</a>

"Sidhu can come and contest election here in Pakistan's Punjab, he'll win. I hope we don't have to wait for Sidhu to become Indian PM for everlasting friendship b/w our nations," said Imran Khan.

Imran himself performed the groundbreaking of the corridor connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in India's Gurdaspur District.

"The happiness I saw today was like of those Muslims who are standing 4 km away from Medina on another side of the border but are unable to visit it, but when they get chance to visit it, the happiness they get is the happiness they are relishing today," he said.

Navjot Singh Sidhu also recited poetry in praise of Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor in Pakistan.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Navjot Singh Sidhu recites poetry in praise of Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the ground-breaking ceremony of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KartarpurCorridor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KartarpurCorridor</a> in Pakistan. <a href="https://t.co/DJqXG8pa4j">pic.twitter.com/DJqXG8pa4j</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1067722598342115329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Navjot Singh Sidhu along with Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep S Puri &nbsp;was India’s face on the ground and called Kartarpur a “corridor of infinite possibilities.”

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is so popular in Pakistan that he can contest and win an election here.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that former cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is so popular in Pakistan that he can contest and win an election here. Imran Khan was speaking on the occasion of foundation stone-laying ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor. "Sidhu can come and contest election here in Pakistan's Punjab, he'll win. I hope we don't have to wait for Sidhu to become Indian PM for everlasting friendship b/w our nations," said Imran Khan. Imran himself performed the groundbreaking of the corridor connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in India's Gurdaspur District. "The happiness I saw today was like of those Muslims who are standing 4 km away from Medina on another side of the border but are unable to visit it, but when they get chance to visit it, the happiness they get is the happiness they are relishing today," he said. Navjot Singh Sidhu also recited poetry in praise of Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor in Pakistan. #WATCH: Navjot Singh Sidhu recites poetry in praise of Pakistan PM Imran Khan at the ground-breaking ceremony of #KartarpurCorridor in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/DJqXG8pa4j — ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2018 × Navjot Singh Sidhu along with Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep S Puri was India’s face on the ground and called Kartarpur a “corridor of infinite possibilities.”

Navjot Sidhu should contest election in Pakistan's Punjab, he will win surely, says Imran Khan

Violence must be stopped and peace should be restored between India and Pakistan, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Wednesday as he described the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/just-political-will-needed-to-solve-kashimr-says-pm-imran-khan-during-kartarpur-ceremony-180007">Kartarpur Corridor</a> as a major opportunity to open the hearts of the people in the two neighbouring countries.

Sidhu, who attended the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/navjot-sidhu-should-contest-election-in-pakistan-he-will-win-surely-says-imran-khan-179998">groundbreaking ceremony</a> of the Kartarpur Corridor on the Pakistani side, said both the government should realise that they have to move forward.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district.

Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. It was established by the Sikh Guru in 1522. The first gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was built here, where Guru Nanak Dev is said to have died.

The Kartarpur Corridor, which will facilitate the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-paks-imran-khan-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-kartarpur-corridor-today-179875">visa-free travel of Sikh pilgrims</a> on both sides, is expected to be completed within six months.

Sidhu congratulated his 'friend' Khan for the initiative and hoped that their will be love and peace between both the nations.

He said there had been enough bad blood and that the corridor would be a major opportunity to open the doors of the hearts of the people.

"Violence must stop and peace should return to the region," he said.

Sidhu said that both the nations should seek a path of brotherhood and live in harmony without any fear with the blessing of Guru Nanak Dev.

Sidhu said that if the borders between both countries opened, it would be possible to transport goods to different parts of Pakistan and even others countries.

"This is my hope, this is my dream ... While there is blood in my veins, I will continue to thank both governments," he said.

"My father used to tell me that Punjab Mail went till Lahore, I believe that it can go further till Peshawar, till Afghanistan," he said.

He said his "big hearted" friend Khan has kept his promise and ended 70 years of wait for the corridor.

"The Kartarpur Spirit can make pilgrims of us all, venturing out on a journey that breaks the barriers of history and opens the borders of the heart and the mind. A journey that our people can walk together towards, a future of shared peace and prosperity for India and Pakistan," he said ahead of the ceremony.

Violence must be stopped and peace should be restored between India and Pakistan, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Wednesday as he described the Kartarpur Corridor as a major opportunity to open the hearts of the people in the two neighbouring countries.

Violence must be stopped and peace should be restored between India and Pakistan, Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Wednesday as he described the Kartarpur Corridor as a major opportunity to open the hearts of the people in the two neighbouring countries. Sidhu, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor on the Pakistani side, said both the government should realise that they have to move forward. Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the corridor linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. It was established by the Sikh Guru in 1522. The first gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was built here, where Guru Nanak Dev is said to have died. The Kartarpur Corridor, which will facilitate the visa-free travel of Sikh pilgrims on both sides, is expected to be completed within six months. Sidhu congratulated his 'friend' Khan for the initiative and hoped that their will be love and peace between both the nations. He said there had been enough bad blood and that the corridor would be a major opportunity to open the doors of the hearts of the people. "Violence must stop and peace should return to the region," he said. Sidhu said that both the nations should seek a path of brotherhood and live in harmony without any fear with the blessing of Guru Nanak Dev. Sidhu said that if the borders between both countries opened, it would be possible to transport goods to different parts of Pakistan and even others countries. "This is my hope, this is my dream ... While there is blood in my veins, I will continue to thank both governments," he said. "My father used to tell me that Punjab Mail went till Lahore, I believe that it can go further till Peshawar, till Afghanistan," he said. He said his "big hearted" friend Khan has kept his promise and ended 70 years of wait for the corridor. "The Kartarpur Spirit can make pilgrims of us all, venturing out on a journey that breaks the barriers of history and opens the borders of the heart and the mind. A journey that our people can walk together towards, a future of shared peace and prosperity for India and Pakistan," he said ahead of the ceremony.

'Big hearted' friend Imran kept his promise: Sidhu at Kartarpur Corridor ceremony in Pakistan

India's Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that the Kartarpur Corridor is not connected with dialogue process with Pakistan.

India has been asking for a corridor, which will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, for many years and she said she was happy that Pakistan had for the first time responded positively.

"But that does not mean that bilateral talks will start only on this," she said, adding that terror and talks can't go together.

Swaraj, who is campaigning in Hyderabad ahead of the Telangana elections on December 7, was addressing a press conference.

"The moment Pakistan stops terrorist activities in India, the dialogue can start but the dialogue is not connected with only the Kartarpur corridor," she said.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-paks-imran-khan-to-lay-foundation-stone-for-kartarpur-corridor-today-179875">lay the foundation stone</a> for the Kartarpur corridor on Wednesday.

Pakistan had invited Swaraj for the ceremony but she expressed her inability to attend the deremony due to prior commitments. The minister had said that India would be represented by Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri.

Pakistan had also invited Punjab Chief Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sidhus-decision-to-visit-pakistan-his-way-of-thinking-amarinder-singh-179604">Captain Amarinder Singh</a> and his cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu. While Singh declined to attend the event, citing continued terrorist attacks in his state and killings of Indian soldiers by Pakistan's armed forces, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/hope-that-kartarpur-corridor-will-be-a-bridge-of-peace-between-india-pakistan-navjot-singh-sidhu-179759">Sidhu left for Pakistan</a> on Tuesday.

The foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor was laid at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Singh on Monday.

The corridor will facilitate easy passage for Sikh pilgrims to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan.

The decision to build passage from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the International Border was taken by the Union Cabinet on November 22.

It has been a long-pending demand of the Sikh community.

Kartarpur is located in Shakargarh in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab. Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, had spent more than 18 years of his life there.

The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located on the banks of the Ravi river, about three-four kilometres from the border in Pakistan.

India's Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that the Kartarpur Corridor is not connected with dialogue process with Pakistan. India has been asking for a corridor, which will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, for many years and she said she was happy that Pakistan had for the first time responded positively.

India's Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said that the Kartarpur Corridor is not connected with dialogue process with Pakistan. India has been asking for a corridor, which will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, for many years and she said she was happy that Pakistan had for the first time responded positively. "But that does not mean that bilateral talks will start only on this," she said, adding that terror and talks can't go together. Swaraj, who is campaigning in Hyderabad ahead of the Telangana elections on December 7, was addressing a press conference. "The moment Pakistan stops terrorist activities in India, the dialogue can start but the dialogue is not connected with only the Kartarpur corridor," she said. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will lay the foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor on Wednesday. Pakistan had invited Swaraj for the ceremony but she expressed her inability to attend the deremony due to prior commitments. The minister had said that India would be represented by Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri. Pakistan had also invited Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu. While Singh declined to attend the event, citing continued terrorist attacks in his state and killings of Indian soldiers by Pakistan's armed forces, Sidhu left for Pakistan on Tuesday. The foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor was laid at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Singh on Monday. The corridor will facilitate easy passage for Sikh pilgrims to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan. The decision to build passage from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the International Border was taken by the Union Cabinet on November 22. It has been a long-pending demand of the Sikh community. Kartarpur is located in Shakargarh in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab. Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, had spent more than 18 years of his life there. The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located on the banks of the Ravi river, about three-four kilometres from the border in Pakistan.

Kartarpur Corridor not connected with dialogue process with Pak: Sushma Swaraj

Kartarpur Groundbreaking on November 28

Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today said he was &quot;deeply hurt&quot; as the state government and the party did not seek his views while selecting candidates for the mayoral posts.

Sidhu, who along with 15 municipal councillors, stayed away from the official programme of the election of Amritsar mayor yesterday which came as an embarrassment to the state unit of the Congress, prompting Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar to seek a report.

Sidhu, who joined the Congress last year after quitting the BJP, today issued a statement, saying though he was the local bodies minister, he was not involved in the decisions at any level in the matter. 
&quot;I was neither involved in the discussion that took place at the level of the government for the past one month in connection with the election of mayors of Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar, nor any sort of suggestion was taken from me in his regard at the party-level,&quot; he said.

Sidhu, the former BJP MP, made it clear that he had no grudge against the election of Karamjit Singh Rintu who was yesterday elected as the Amritsar mayor.

&quot;It has deeply hurt me and it has hurt my sentiments. I was not involved at any level,&quot; he said.

The Congress had appointed three Cabinet ministers Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Aruna Chaudhary and Sadhu Singh Dharamsot as observers for the mayoral elections in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala corporations, respectively.

When pointed out that he had said that he would abide by whatever the chief minister decides regarding the election of mayor, Sidhu said, &quot;This means that I should not be involved in the matter related to my department and not being called in any of the meetings. And now somebody else will hold meetings of my department? Does it mean that somebody else will now take a decision pertaining to the local bodies department.&quot;

He ruled out taking up this issue with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

On staying away from Amritsar mayor election programme, he said, &quot;I was not even properly invited for the meeting to elect Amritsar mayor. Therefore I did not attend the meeting.&quot; 
Meanwhile, the Punjab Congress chief spokesperson and MLA Raj Kumar Verka said that Sidhu, along with all MLAs, had authorised the chief minister in a one-line resolution to decide on the election of mayor.

&quot;Then the matter ends here and there should not be any confusion,&quot; he said, adding that it was a party&#39;s process wherein neither ministers nor MLAs were aware about who would be elected as mayor. 
Verka said the arrangement of programme of Amritsar Mayor&#39;s election was made by his department, not by the party.

&quot;There could have been some communication gap which led to this situation,&quot; he said.

Sidhu stayed away from the official programme of the election of Amritsar mayor

Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu today said he was "deeply hurt" as the state government and the party did not seek his views while selecting candidates for the mayoral posts. Sidhu, who along with 15 municipal councillors, stayed away from the official programme of the election of Amritsar mayor yesterday which came as an embarrassment to the state unit of the Congress, prompting Punjab unit chief Sunil Jakhar to seek a report. Sidhu, who joined the Congress last year after quitting the BJP, today issued a statement, saying though he was the local bodies minister, he was not involved in the decisions at any level in the matter. "I was neither involved in the discussion that took place at the level of the government for the past one month in connection with the election of mayors of Patiala, Jalandhar and Amritsar, nor any sort of suggestion was taken from me in his regard at the party-level," he said. Sidhu, the former BJP MP, made it clear that he had no grudge against the election of Karamjit Singh Rintu who was yesterday elected as the Amritsar mayor. "It has deeply hurt me and it has hurt my sentiments. I was not involved at any level," he said. The Congress had appointed three Cabinet ministers Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Aruna Chaudhary and Sadhu Singh Dharamsot as observers for the mayoral elections in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala corporations, respectively. When pointed out that he had said that he would abide by whatever the chief minister decides regarding the election of mayor, Sidhu said, "This means that I should not be involved in the matter related to my department and not being called in any of the meetings. And now somebody else will hold meetings of my department? Does it mean that somebody else will now take a decision pertaining to the local bodies department." He ruled out taking up this issue with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. On staying away from Amritsar mayor election programme, he said, "I was not even properly invited for the meeting to elect Amritsar mayor. Therefore I did not attend the meeting." Meanwhile, the Punjab Congress chief spokesperson and MLA Raj Kumar Verka said that Sidhu, along with all MLAs, had authorised the chief minister in a one-line resolution to decide on the election of mayor. "Then the matter ends here and there should not be any confusion," he said, adding that it was a party's process wherein neither ministers nor MLAs were aware about who would be elected as mayor. Verka said the arrangement of programme of Amritsar Mayor's election was made by his department, not by the party. "There could have been some communication gap which led to this situation," he said.

'Deeply hurt' by Punjab govt for not involving me in selection of mayors: Navjot Sidhu

Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu joined the Congress after meeting party vice-president Rahul Gandhi Sunday, ahead of next month&#39;s regional elections in India&#39;s northern state of Punjab.

Sidhu, a big draw in the state, has joined the party nearly four months after he defected from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

&ldquo;Beginning of a new inning (sic). On the front foot&hellip;&hellip;.. Punjab, Punjabiyat and&nbsp;every Punjabi must win !!!,&rdquo; Sidhu said in a tweet.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
Beginning of a new inning. On the front foot........ Punjab, Punjabiyat &amp; every Punjabi must win !!! <a href="https://t.co/up0WzzoaxJ">pic.twitter.com/up0WzzoaxJ</a>
&mdash; Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sherryontopp/status/820544099799285760">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Former chief minister and Congress chief ministerial candidate for Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, said Sidhu would be a legislator from Amritsar East.&nbsp;Amarinder Singh, also the Congress chief in Punjab, spoke to Sidhu over the phone to welcome him into the party. He said&nbsp;Sidhu&#39;s&nbsp;joining would further strengthen the Congress in Punjab and that Sidhu would be the star campaigner for the party in the state.

The two will&nbsp;kickstart their election campaign with a visit to Amritsar&#39;s Darbar Saheb in Golden Temple followed by a road show and a joint press conference in the city on January 19.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
He will be an MLA, Amritsar East seat has been given to him: Captain Amarinder Singh,Cong on Navjot Singh Sidhu <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabPolls?src=hash">#PunjabPolls</a> <a href="https://t.co/YXSblMKZQI">pic.twitter.com/YXSblMKZQI</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/820576326503440384">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&quot;Indian National Congress (INC) welcomes S Navjot Singh Sidhu into Congress family. We thank our vice-president (Rahul Gandhi) for his visionary approach in bringing together like-minded people under the Congress umbrella,&quot; Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement.

&quot;We are certain that Congress party will be immensely strengthened in Punjab and elsewhere with the entry of Sidhu,&quot; the party posted on its official Twitter handle.&nbsp;

Reacting to the announcement, Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) remarked dryly that he was &quot;relieved&quot;. He also remarked that the former BJP legislator from Amritsar was joining a party that had attacked the city&#39;s Golden Temple, referring to the 1984 operation by the Indian Army against militants holed up in the iconic monument. The Congress party was in power at the time of the incident.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">
Chalo shukar hai, koi gal nahi: Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal on Navjot Singh Sidhu joining Congress <a href="https://t.co/NXLZIP6Yi5">pic.twitter.com/NXLZIP6Yi5</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/820535355648524289">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Ex-MP from city of Amritsar joining party,family that attacked Darbar Sahib in absence of Punjab leaders-Sukhbir Badal on Navjot Singh Sidhu
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/820534317369561088">January 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

 
Rumours that he would join the Congress have been going on ever since his wife Navjot Kaur joined the Congress from BJP last November.

Navjot Sidhu, 53, was initially expected to join Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party but talks collapsed when he reportedly demanded that he become the party&#39;s chief ministerial candidate in Punjab.

In September 2016, Navjot Sidhu announced his own political party named Awaz-e-Punjab (Voice of Punjab) along with suspended Akali leader Pargat Singh and the Bains brothers of Ludhiana.

Pargat Singh later joined the Congress with Sidhu&#39;s wife, while the Bains brothers joined AAP.

Sidhu was previously a BJP lawmaker from Amritsar between 2004 and 2014 after which he was evicted from the constituency to make way for Arun Jaitley. Sidhu was then given a Rajya Sabha nomination by the BJP.

Punjab goes to polls on February 4.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Sidhu will contest from Amritsar East in the upcoming polls, confirmed the party's Punjab president Amarinder Singh

Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu joined the Congress after meeting party vice-president Rahul Gandhi Sunday, ahead of next month's regional elections in India's northern state of Punjab. Sidhu, a big draw in the state, has joined the party nearly four months after he defected from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “Beginning of a new inning (sic). On the front foot…….. Punjab, Punjabiyat and every Punjabi must win !!!,” Sidhu said in a tweet. Beginning of a new inning. On the front foot........ Punjab, Punjabiyat & every Punjabi must win !!! pic.twitter.com/up0WzzoaxJ — Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 15, 2017 × Former chief minister and Congress chief ministerial candidate for Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, said Sidhu would be a legislator from Amritsar East. Amarinder Singh, also the Congress chief in Punjab, spoke to Sidhu over the phone to welcome him into the party. He said Sidhu's joining would further strengthen the Congress in Punjab and that Sidhu would be the star campaigner for the party in the state. The two will kickstart their election campaign with a visit to Amritsar's Darbar Saheb in Golden Temple followed by a road show and a joint press conference in the city on January 19. He will be an MLA, Amritsar East seat has been given to him: Captain Amarinder Singh,Cong on Navjot Singh Sidhu #PunjabPolls pic.twitter.com/YXSblMKZQI — ANI (@ANI_news) January 15, 2017 × "Indian National Congress (INC) welcomes S Navjot Singh Sidhu into Congress family. We thank our vice-president (Rahul Gandhi) for his visionary approach in bringing together like-minded people under the Congress umbrella," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement. "We are certain that Congress party will be immensely strengthened in Punjab and elsewhere with the entry of Sidhu," the party posted on its official Twitter handle. Reacting to the announcement, Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) remarked dryly that he was "relieved". He also remarked that the former BJP legislator from Amritsar was joining a party that had attacked the city's Golden Temple, referring to the 1984 operation by the Indian Army against militants holed up in the iconic monument. The Congress party was in power at the time of the incident. Chalo shukar hai, koi gal nahi: Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal on Navjot Singh Sidhu joining Congress pic.twitter.com/NXLZIP6Yi5 — ANI (@ANI_news) January 15, 2017 × Ex-MP from city of Amritsar joining party,family that attacked Darbar Sahib in absence of Punjab leaders-Sukhbir Badal on Navjot Singh Sidhu — ANI (@ANI_news) January 15, 2017 × Rumours that he would join the Congress have been going on ever since his wife Navjot Kaur joined the Congress from BJP last November. Navjot Sidhu, 53, was initially expected to join Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party but talks collapsed when he reportedly demanded that he become the party's chief ministerial candidate in Punjab. In September 2016, Navjot Sidhu announced his own political party named Awaz-e-Punjab (Voice of Punjab) along with suspended Akali leader Pargat Singh and the Bains brothers of Ludhiana. Pargat Singh later joined the Congress with Sidhu's wife, while the Bains brothers joined AAP. Sidhu was previously a BJP lawmaker from Amritsar between 2004 and 2014 after which he was evicted from the constituency to make way for Arun Jaitley. Sidhu was then given a Rajya Sabha nomination by the BJP. Punjab goes to polls on February 4. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Punjab elections: Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Sidhu joins Congress

navjot-sidhu

Navjot Sidhu, News on Navjot Sidhu, stories on Navjot Sidhu, articles on Navjot Sidhu, Navjot Sidhu stories at Wion, Navjot Sidhu news, Navjot Sidhu latest news

navjot sidhu