Navjot Singh Sidhu finally met Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh in Delhi this Sunday and indicated his willingness to work for the party.
Sidhu, former BJP leader, met Amarinder at a neutral place in Delhi and discussed his plans for Punjab.
Amarinder said about the meeting, “We met in a very positive atmosphere. Navjot Sidhu appeared inclined to support the Congress but he has to make up his mind about whether he wants to continue with his profession or come on board. It is up to Sidhu now to make the announcement and also declare its nature. He is inclined to back the Congress. That’s the impression I got.”
Sidhu is likely to join the Congress any time now depending on his preference. He has returned to Mumbai.
Earlier, Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur had joined the Congress. She had said that her husband would follow soon.
NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU 'INCLINED' TO SUPPORT CONGRESS: AMARINDER SINGH
The prospects of Navjot Singh Sidhu joining the Congress ahead of next year's assembly elections have brightened with the former cricketer, who left BJP over two months back, meeting Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh in the national capital.
Confirming the meeting, Mr Amarinder today said Mr Sidhu was inclined to support the Congress and would soon make an announcement regarding his plan.
"I can tell you that I have met him. I hope very soon he will be making his announcement. I found him in a very positive frame of mind. I hope it will be a positive decision," Mr Amarinder said.
The former Punjab Chief Minister said he does not think that Mr Sidhu is interested in contesting the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat and is likely to campaign for the party.
"He just has to make up his mind whether he has to carry on with his work or whether he wants to actively join politics. The way he is talking, I feel he would like to campaign for the Congress party, but that he would announce himself," he said.
Asked specifically if Mr Sidhu will be formally joining the Congress or not, the PCC chief said, "I think he will announce it himself. Let's wait for the announcement in a few days. But the impression I got, without any commitment from his side, is that he was inclined to support us."
Mr Sidhu's entry into Congress has been speculated for a long time now. His wife Navjot Kaur joined the party recently, giving ample indications that he would also come on board.
Mr Sidhu was earlier in talks with AAP but it did not materialise leading to a split in his recently formed outfit Awaaz-E-Punjab.
Two formidable members of Awaaz-E-Punjab and sitting independent MLAs - Balwinder Singh Bains and Simarjit Singh Bains from Ludhiana, parted ways with Sidhu to join the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP.
Pargat Singh, the other member, joined the Congress along with Mr Sidhu's wife.