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U-turn: Sidhu gets back security cover
Perneet Singh
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 15
The Punjab Government today restored the security cover to former Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu a day after it was withdrawn after he attacked the SAD leadership during the Haryana Assembly poll campaign.

The U-turn is being seen by many as a consequence of reaction from the Punjab BJP which came out in the open against the government's move and urged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to restore Sidhu's security.

BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh had termed it a "prestige issue" while Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma had sought the CM's intervention.

Talking to The Tribune, Sidhu expressed surprise over the turnaround by the Punjab Government, wondering "what has changed overnight that the government backtracked on its decision. Were they trying to scare me?" Referring to the Akali leadership, Sidhu said there was no place for arrogance in democracy. "They must remember as you sow, so shall you reap," he said.

Sidhu said he had nothing to fear and would continue to tread the path of truth. "I have always done that and you can see for yourself where I stand today and where they are?" he said.

Sidhu had slammed the state government for withdrawing his security yesterday, saying the Akali Dal was resorting to "petty politics" as it didn't have answers to the issues raised by him. His wife and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu had also hit out at the ruling SAD asking how they could withdraw security to a three-time MP who is also a senior BJP leader and a celebrity at a time when even small-time Akali leaders boast of security cover.

The three-time MP from Amritsar stuck to his guns today and said he raised valid issues in Haryana Assembly poll campaign and there was nothing wrong in it. He said the BJP always stood by the SAD through thick and thin in Punjab, offering its unconditional support and helping it form the government in the state not once but thrice in the last two decades.

"And what they did in Haryana? They supported a political party whose leader has been jailed for corruption and forged an alliance against the BJP," he said. Sidhu also accused the SAD of repeatedly conspiring against him during his stint as the Amritsar MP.

"There were so many conspiracies against me. Had there been anybody else he would have run away in three months. I fail to understand why there is so much insecurity," he said.

On the buzz that he may be given a key role in the Punjab BJP, Sidhu said he has fulfilled any responsibility given to him by the party as its disciplined soldier. "I am a humble servant of the party and shall continue to be."

Punjab Police ‘flip-flop’

The Punjab Police on Wednesday said it was misinterpretation of a communication to district police chiefs who were told to brief security guards about their movement and carrying of arms in Haryana. Sources said the police never issued orders to withdraw Sidhu's security.