Take guard, Sidhu talks the walk from today

Cricketer Navjyot Singh Sidhu will begin campaigning from tomorrow but he seemed to have carried the commentary box along today as he hosted...

Cricketer Navjyot Singh Sidhu will begin campaigning from tomorrow but he seemed to have carried the commentary box along today as he hosted the 500th anniversary celebrations of the second Sikh Guru at Khadoor Saheb.

‘‘Guru’s township is not the personal fiefdom of anyone; if you accept me, I will not go to Patiala even after my death,’’ he said. Clad in an orange shirt and matching turban, Sidhu walked barefeet in the pandal. As his fans chanted bole sou nihal, he went on a long pitch: “Mud helps in raising a house, not in uniting hearts. I have come here to join hearts. I will listen to people and try to fulfil their aspirations.’’ After coming down the stage, he offered water to Badal and took blessings from Akal Takht Jathedar.

Cricket was very much on his mind, though. In the morning — apparently not a man to forget where he is from — he made a surprise halt along the parks at Ranjit Avenue, the hub of amateur cricketers. No bodyguards for him, only old Yadavindra Public School buddies like Honey Sekhon, who have nothing to do with either cricket or politics.

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Sidhu said his campaign would begin from 5 am tomorrow. Of course, he will speak extempore. A taste of what’s to come — ‘‘No one can whistle a symphony, it takes an orchestra to play and right now, BJP is in perfect harmony.’’

‘‘Of course, cricket is my identity and has helped me carve a place in the hearts of masses…No one can make a reputation by living and delaying things tomorrow or yesterday. It is what you do, today (that counts).’’

So, whose idea was it that he join politics, the BJP’s or his own? ‘‘It takes two wings to fly and two to tango. Hai kei nahin bolo?’’