M A I N   N E W S

BJP fields Sidhu from Amritsar
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 16
The BJP today formally announced the candidature of former cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu from Amritsar constituency in Punjab and famous television actress Smriti Irani, Tulsi of famous tele-serial Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, from the minority-dominated Chandni Chowk seat in the Capital.

The party, however, deferred till tomorrow the announcement of its candidate for the Hisar constituency in Haryana.

Although the party had decided to field Sidhu from Amritsar over a fortnight ago, it had waited for the conclusion of the Indo-Pak cricket series, during which he was a commentator for a foreign sports TV channel.

The BJP has announced its candidature for all three seats it is contesting in Punjab. While it had renominated Union Minister Vinod Khanna from Gurdaspur seat, it fielded Punjab unit president Avinash Rai Khanna from Hoshiarpur constituency.

According to top party leader, the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) leaders’ intention to field a “fresh and good face” in Amritsar earned Sidhu the nomination, despite opposition at the ground level and several other strong contenders pitching hard for the seat.

Among other strong contenders for the seat were former Member of Parliament Dayal Singh Sodhi, former state Health Minister in Badal government Baldev Chawla and local strongman Om Prakash Soni, who was willing to join the BJP.

Ms Irani will contest against Mr Kapil Sibal of the Congress and Shoib Iqbal of the Janata Dal (Secular).

Development to be Sidhu’s poll plank
Ashok Sethi

Amritsar, April 16
Confirming his candidature from Amritsar on BJP ticket, former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has said it will provide him with a great opportunity to serve the holy city as a humble Sikh.

In an exclusive interview over telephone from Rawalpindi, Sidhu said today that he had accepted the offer of the BJP high command to field him from Amritsar. He said this had enhanced his persona and he would do his best to work for the development of the city. He reiterated his commitment to Punjab and particularly to Amritsar.

Sidhu said he would live up to the expectations and aspirations of the people of the city. He added that once he comes to the city, he would not look back and would give up Patiala as his home.

Answering questions about his poll plank, Sidhu said he would seek votes on the issues of development and progress, besides his commitment to uplift the downtrodden. He said the feel-good campaign of the NDA government and the improvement in Indo-Pak relations would be other issues that would dominate his electioneering. He said he had faith in the people of the border district that they would vote for the BJP and ensure that the NDA government would be back in saddle at the Centre.

Commenting on the logistic support from the district BJP Urban and Rural units, Sidhu said he expected them to provide manpower, infrastructure and facilities to put up a good show to win the elections. Asked about his inexperience in the electoral battle, where he was being pitted against a Congress stalwart who had won six times, Sidhu remarked that he was battle-hardy. Having played cricket for more than two decades, he would convince his voters to vote for him and ensure his victory, the said.

The general secretary of the local BJP Mr Harish Taneja, said the party would accord a warm welcome to Sidhu when he arrives here after the cricket series in Pakistan. He said the party high command was expected to send a big national-level leader to formally launch Sidhu’s campaign after filing of papers.