Punjab’s former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh may find himself offering an explanation for the letter he had purportedly written to All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi on Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa’s alleged terror links.
For, the newly-appointed in-charge of Punjab Congress party affairs Shakeel Ahmed on Sunday minced no words to say that Capt Amarinder Singh is a senior Congress leader; and they may consult him on the issue.”Surprised,” is the word Ahmad termed while pointing out that so far Capt Amarinder Singh himself has ‘not confirmed’ writing any such letter. AICC general secretary Ahmad also maintained that he has yet not talked to the former Chief Minister on the issue.
Besides, Ahmad highlighted that Bajwa had remained a respected leader in Capt Amarinder Singh’s cabinet, and also a prominent member of Capt’s team during his stint as Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief.
Ahmad’s reaction came on a news item appearing in a national daily regarding a “confidential” letter sent by former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to AICC president expressing reservations over the appointment of Partap Singh Bajwa as PPCC chief as he had terrorist links.
“It is a surprising thing. Capt Amarinder has not confirmed that he has written such a letter to Soniaji. Another thing that has surprise element is that Bajwa had remained a minister in Capt Amarinder’s Government, and also secretary in his PPCC. I think the authenticity of the letter is not clear, and the news report is not true,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad also made it clear that Capt Amarinder Singh would only be asked to give explanation only if the authenticity of the letter is established. “He is a senior leader…we will take up this issue with him and discuss,” said Ahmad, adding that he has yet not talked to the Patiala Royal. On the other hand, PPCC president has refused to comment on his predecessor’s “allegations”. “I will comment on this only when I get that letter or Capt Amarinder would himself say this openly,” Bajwa told The Pioneer.
Making a haul out of the accusations, Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma on Sunday asked the State Government to take into account the reported allegations by Capt Amarinder about Bajwa’s past terror links.
Sharma, in fact, asked the former Chief Minister to come ‘clean on the issue in public domain’.”These are serious allegations, and would have repercussions on country’s security and integrity. Congress should take it into note and take appropriate action…Everyone has every right to know truth behind terror links of this politician. The state government may ask Amarinder to share details of Bajwa’s terror links so as to proceed further,” said Sharma.