Chandigarh, Feb 19 (IANS): Preparing a roadmap to win the 2022 Punjab assembly elections, Punjab AAP chief Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday praised Congress leader and former minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is in "self-imposed" political exile since quitting the Amarinder Singh-led cabinet last July.

"Sidhu is an honest man and we will welcome good politicians," Mann told the media here on being asked about the chances of Sidhu's joining the AAP.

The Aam Aadmi Party lacks a popular and credible face in Punjab.

In a related question, the Member of Parliament said he has been Sidhu's fan since his days as a cricketer.

Without mincing words, he clarified that there "is no official communication so far with him so far".

Sidhu, who used to swear loyalty to Rahul Gandhi, had to exit from the government after differences with party veteran and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

Sidhu formally resigned on July 14. Since then he had limited his public appearances.

In the just concluded Assembly polls, Sidhu preferred to keep himself away from politics to send a message to the party that he may part ways with the Congress.