Drama as BJP has no base in Punjab: Navjot Sidhu on Modi's 'security breach'

Chandigarh, January 7

PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was insulting ‘Punjabiat’ by “falsely” misleading the nation claiming his life was put in danger during his recent state visit. He accused the BJP of using the PMO for political agenda.

Collective responsibility

The ‘security lapse’ is a collective responsibility of central agencies and Home Ministry…. Those talking about President’s rule (in Punjab) are your (BJP) parrots. — Navjot Singh Sidhu, PCC Chief

Addressing a press conference here, Sidhu said with elections round the corner, an attempt was being made to vitiate the atmosphere as the BJP had no support or base in Punjab. “The saffron party is enacting a political drama ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states.”

Taking a dig at PM Modi over “security breach” during his visit, Sidhu said: “You not only belong to the BJP, but are also the PM of this country. Every child knows the value of your life. You may not have hoisted as many national flags as the number of bodies of Punjabis have come home wrapped in the Tricolour. It is a disrespect to their sacrifice.”

The PCC chief alleged the PM smartly made an alibi of threat to life to avoid humiliation because of party’s inability to ensure a massive turnout at the Ferozepur rally.

Commenting on the proposition of President’s rule in Punjab, Sidhu said: “They (BJP) must stop playing politics. You will get a befitting reply here. All those talking about President’s rule (in Punjab), are your (BJP) parrots.” “It may have never happened that the PM addresses 500 people at a rally, planned for 70,000 people. The security of the PM is not limited to Punjab Police. It involves a large force of the SPG, IB and other related agencies,” he pointed out, adding the “security lapse” was a collective responsibility of the central agencies and the Home Ministry.

Coming to the rescue of farmers, the PCC chief said the BJP never talked about security threat to farmers who sat on the Delhi border for over a year. “You called them terrorists, anti-nationals or ‘andolanjivis’. Still, they remained peaceful.” He said 750 farmers lost their lives fighting for their democratic rights. The PM had promised that farm income would be doubled by 2022. While no substantive rise in their income was achieved due to Centre’s failures, an attempt was made to snatch their legal right of MSP by the government, he claimed. — TNS