New Delhi, June 22
The Congress today defended Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh despite the storm kicked off by his opponents over his presence in a Canadian gurdwara, known to be a hub of separatists.
The party accepted the Chief Minister’s explanation that it was a “genuine mistake” and that he was unaware that he was addressing a gathering against the backdrop of Khalistan zindabad” banners.
Responding to questions on this issue at a press briefing, Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natrajan maintained that the CM’s presence at this controversial gurdwara was an “unfortunate coincidence.”
“Nothing further should be read into. Neither should we give any political colour to this issue,” she said, adding that “we should leave it at that.”
Mrs Natrajan maintained that the issue of “Khalistan” was resolved once a democratically-elected government came to power in Punjab over a decade ago.
Terrorism and the demand for “Khalistan” were no issues in the state today, she added.
Asked if Capt Amarinder Singh supported the demand for “Khalistan”, Mrs Natrajan said the Punjab CM was a responsible leader, adding that all Congress Chief Ministers stand “head and shoulders above divisive elements.”
