Navjot Sidhu not invited for BJP core committee meeting on Punjab issue

CHANDIGARH : The BJP understood to have decided to sideline former MP from Amritsar Navjot Sidhu atleast from the party’s affairs in Punjab. He was not among the invitees for the BJP core committee meeting in national capital convened to decide name of state BJP president.Earlier reports had suggested that Navjot Sidhu was among the four leaders being considered to head the Punjab BJP besides Kamal Sharma, Ashwani Sharma and Avinash Rai Khanna. Except Sidhu, all others are invited for the meeting.Navjot Sidhu and his wife BJP MLA from Amritsar Navjot Kaur Sidhu were demanding to break alliance with SAD in Punjab. Navjot Kaur Sidhu had even declared that she would not contest next election if BJP continues alliance wsith Akalis.The Sidhu couple was sidelined by SAD in Punjab politics. It is believed that Sidhu was not given MP ticket from Amritsar due to infleunce of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal who pressurised BJP high command and invited Arun Jaitely to contest from Amritsar. However Jaitely faced humiliating defeat despite all out efforts by SAD to secure victory for him.There were also reports that Sidhu couple may join AAP, if BJP continued to sideline them. Sidhu had strong base among people of Punjab. Even his wife has made strong base for her in the holy city.The core committee meeting is being held at the residence of the Union Minister Shri Arun Jaitley. BJP President Amit Shah is presiding over.