This Article is From May 24, 2009

Sidhu, only BJP nominee to win in 5 northern states

New Delhi: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has set a record of sorts by being the only BJP candidate to win the Lok Sabha elections in five northern states.

BJP failed to open its account in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi and Uttarakhand. In Punjab, Sidhu - who contested from Amritsar -- was the only winner from BJP.

"Despite the wave in favour of Congress I won the elections," an elated Sidhu said.

Asked for the reasons that led to his victory, the former cricketer said, "For me politics is a vision. Whatever I have promised I have fulfilled."

Enumerating the various programmes he undertook for his constituency, Sidhu said, he had launched the "Green Amritsar campaign" and even put Rs 2.5 crore from his own pocket.

The ace cricketer, who has now won from Amritsar thrice, said development was the main issue, which could fetch votes.

"Whoever performs and works for development will stand tall," Sidhu said.

He hailed Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as an example of development who is "popular as he has performed".

He said Modi could not be indicted for the post-Godhra riots in his state. "If he has the taint of 2002 riots then why can't we talk about the anti-Sikh riots of 1984? We should live in the present," he said.

Sidhu said BJP's ideology is to work for the development of a person as this would lead to the development of the country.
 
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