Bhagwant Mann once wanted to join Congress: Navjot Sidhu

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had wanted to join Congress in the past, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu said.
In a recent interview with a media organisation, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu made startling claims, asserting that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had approached him expressing his willingness to join the Congress.

Sidhu also shared a clip of this interview on his social media handle.
Responding to questions about ongoing unconfirmed reports regarding possibility of his joining of BJP and whether the party had approached him, Sidhu disclosed the alleged willingness of Mann joining Congress.

However there was no immediate response from Mann regarding Sidhu’s claims.
Sidhu stated during the interview, “I can tell you one thing about who had approached (me). Bhagwant Mann sahab had come to me. If he tells, I will even tell him the place (where they met).”

A former Punjab Congress president Sidhu further stated that Mann was even ready to be Sidhu’s deputy if the latter successfully facilitated his entry into Congress.
At the same time, Sidhu added that Mann at one point of time even offered to be his deputy if Sidhu chose to join Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Congress leader asserted that he conveyed to Mann about his commitment to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stating that he couldn’t leave them. Sidhu informed Mann that if he was inclined to join Congress, he should engage with the party leadership in Delhi. Following this discussion, Sidhu claimed that there were no further talks on the matter.

Sidhu emphasised that his primary objective is to serve the people of Punjab. He aimed at the Mann-led AAP government, criticising his handling of Punjab’s mounting debt.
Sidhu remarked, “They move in aircraft and luxury vehicles, but debt has to be paid by Punjabis.”