Amritsar, Jan 19: Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was keen on joining the Congress Party before the 2004 General Elections, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh claimed on Saturday.

Interacting with media persons here, Ramesh said Sidhu visited his official New Delhi residence at 24, Akbar Road and said he was keen to contest on a Congress party ticket from Patiala.

The Congress could not accede to the request as sitting MP Parneet Kaur, the wife of former Punjab Chief MInister Captain Amarinder Singh, had already been declared the candidate from there.

"I don't know what happened to him and Sidhu agreed to contest election from Amritsar Parliament on a BJP ticket," said Ramesh.
(ANI)