The Congress, which plans to use the former cricketer aggressively in campaigning across Punjab, claimed its position in the poll-bound state had been "immensely strengthened” with Mr Sidhu’s entry. "Using important Sikh leaders like the former PM, Capt. Are you in favour of making Navjot Sidhu the face of Punjab Congress as done by Rahul Gandhi recently? (sic),” he said. Sukhbir Singh Badal asked on Twitter why Mr Sidhu had come to the state "20 days before the elections” and said that he should come clean on the "bargain”. Amarinder Singh spoke to the former cricketer over the phone, describing the development as "great news”. Party insiders said that through Mr Sidhu the Congress would target the sizeable Jat Sikh vote, particularly in Punjab’s rural belt, that has been a traditional votebank of the ruling Akalis.”After joining the party, Mr Sidhu tweeted: "Beginning of a new inning.Sukhbir Badal tweeted: "U left BJP saying @akali_dal_ did not let U enter Punjab. 

Amarinder Singh and Mr Sidhu as star campaigners is part of a well-planned strategy to counter any propaganda by the Akalis that the Congress lacks eminent Sikh leaders,” a senior Congress leader said. Amarinder Singh, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in the Wholesale Glitter Toilet Seats Punjab elections.While targeting Capt. Mr Sidhu has had sharp differences with top Akali Dal leaders, particularly deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, whom he held responsible for being marginalised in Punjab politics. However, the Congress remained non-committal, asking Mr Sidhu to formally join the party first as only a few days are left for the filing of nominations.Congress sources claim the former BJP MP is keen on being made deputy chief minister if the party is voted to power. Punjab, Punjabiyat and every Punjabi must win!!!”"Known for straight talking, ideological commitment to the cause of nationalism as also wit and humour, we are certain that the Congress Party will be immensely strengthened in Punjab and elsewhere with the entry of Sidhu,’” party spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said in a statement. Amarinder Singh and Mr Sidhu are expected to visit the Golden Temple on January 19, to be followed by a massive roadshow and a joint press conference in Amritsar. 

She said the seat had been allotted to Mr Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur, and between them they would have to decide who would contest the seat..Tipped to contest from Amritsar East.After Mr Sidhu’s formal entry into the Congress’ fold, Capt. "Please clear the air.Congress secretary and Punjab in-charge Asha Kumari told the media later that the party’s understanding was that Mr Sidhu would contest from Amritsar East seat. Pargat Singh is likely to be Congress candidate from Jalandhar Cantt Assembly seat. Ending days of speculation over his future political moves, Mr Sidhu is now all set to contest the Amritsar East Assembly seat in the coming Punjab elections.Before formally launching an aggressive campaign in Punjab, both Capt. Where were you since last ten months? Come clean and tell Punjabis (sic)”.Punjab is for the first time witnessing a keenly-contested triangular fight between the Congress, the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine and the Aam Aadmi Party. Mr Sidhu had earlier resigned as a Rajya Sabha MP and from the BJP, after which his wife and close associate and former international hockey star Pargat Singh had both formally joined the Congress. Rahul Gandhi welcomes Navjot Singh Sidhu into the Congress at his residence in New Delhi. Amarinder Singh, the Akali Dal chief asked if he had been replaced by Mr Sidhu as the chief ministerial candidate..Along with Mr Sidhu, the Congress decided to use two other prominent Sikh leaders, state party chief Capt.

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