BJP takes dig at Congress over ‘sting’ on Khalistanis

NEWDELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged on Thursday that a “mahagathbandhan” (grand alliance) of “break India” forces, including Khalistani separatists, is being formed and the Congress is a part of it.

“Pakistan is the most important component of the ‘mahagathbandhan’, along with the Congress,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed.

He cited a purported sting on three Khalistani secessionists to claim that they have been running down India and lauding countries such as China. This is something Congress president Rahul Gandhi also does, he added.

Rahul has been claiming that freedom and jobs are not there in India and that minorities are harassed here, Patra alleged.

These separatists see Pakistan as an ally, he said and referred to Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s praise of the welcome he received in the neighbouring country to draw a parallel.

At a press conference, the ruling party also played a video showing the comments of these separatists and those of some opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and Congress’s Ghulam Nabi Azad, Shashi Tharoor, Gandhi and Sidhu, under the title “Khalistan-break India nexus exposed”.

He also hit out at Aam Aadmi Party convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly taking support from Khalistani separatists during the Punjab assembly election.

“He should be put in the dock over it,” Patra said.

Khalistani separatists have been recorded as saying that they funded the AAP and campaigned for it, he claimed.

Pakistan is the most important component of the ‘mahagathbandhan’, along with the Congress. SAMBIT PATRA , BJP spokesperson