Sidhu formally resigns from BJP

CHANDIGARH: After announcing the formation of a new political party, cricketer turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu formally resigned from the BJP this week. His wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, a lawmaker in the Punjab assembly, is also expected to follow her husband's footsteps soon. "If the BJP doesn't quit alliance with Akali Dal then I surely cannot continue with the BJP," she said. Also hitting at critics who accused her of anti-party activities, Navjot said, "I am an individual, I have only picked up issues of my zone, (but I'm) not being allowed to do (so). This isn't democracy, this is dictatorship. If I raise social issues, how is it anti-party activity?" Sidhu's new party Awaaz-e-Punjab is expected to contest the Punjab state elections next year.