Former BJP MP and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday said he resigned from the Rajya Sabha as BJP had asked him to not even look in the direction of Punjab, and to stay away from the state.
Speaking to the media outside his residence at the Games village in Delhi, Sidhu, however, avoided a direct answer when asked about rumours that he would join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He also parried away questions on formally quitting BJP.
“The nation is the biggest religion of all. How can I leave my roots and my nation? How can I leave my people who have made me win (Lok Sabha) elections in the last 10 years,” asked Sidhu.
The former India cricket opener, who represented Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency between 2004 and 2014, claimed that the party had asked him to stay away from Punjab, which was impossible for him.
“Even the birds come back to their nests in the evening. How can I leave my nation? No party in this world is above Punjab. I am ready to bear the loss,” said Sidhu.