Sidhu under fire for attending Imran’s oath-taking ceremony
CHANDIGARH: Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu invited sharp criticism from the opposition parties in Punjab on Saturday for attending the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan as Pakistan’s Prime Minister.
Sidhu was among the special guests present at Khan’s oathtaking ceremony in Islamabad. The state BJP asked the cricketer-turned-politician whether it was necessary for him to visit Pakistan at a time when India was mourning the death of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Terming Sidhu’s move as “anti-national” and “unethical”, Punjab BJP chief and Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik said: “Before going to Pakistan, Sidhu should have remembered the Indian soldiers who were beheaded by the Pakistani troops. As this was not enough, he hugged their army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Sitting with president of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) is highly condemnable.” Malik accused him of putting the nation’s dignity at risk. He also demanded an apology from Sidhu.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) said Sidhu broke the “decorum” by visiting Pakistan. “The whole nation is observing sevenday mourning in the wake of the death of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. At this point of time, it becomes necessary that no minister should attend ceremonial functions,” said SAD spokesman and former minister Daljit Singh
As this was not enough, he hugged their army chief. Sitting with head of Pakistanoccupied Kashmir is highly condemnable SHWAIT MALIK , Punjab BJP chief
Cheema. He said Sidhu’s hugging of Bajwa, who was sitting next to POK president Masood Khan has sent a “wrong message” to Indian armed forces.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the main opposition party in Punjab, condemned Sidhu for hugging the Pakistan army chief. “If he hugged their army chief, it is condemnable,” said AAP MLA and leader of opposition Harpal Cheema.
Haryana health minister and senior BJP leader Anil Vij termed Sidhu’s participation in the ceremony as an “act of disloyalty” towards India .
BJP SHOULD WELCOME SIDHU’S TRACK-2 DIPLOMACY: JAKHAR
Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar jumped to Sidhu’s defence saying the BJP should respect the spirit with which he has gone to Pakistan. “It was a sportsperson inviting a sportsperson. The ball is in the Pakistan captain’s court now. Whether he becomes an ambassador for peace between the two nations or remains a puppet in the Pakistan army’s hands. As for the BJP, former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee opened talks with Pakistan even after the Kargil war.”