Hitting out at the Congress for “criticising” country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and praising Pakistan’s Premier Imran Khan, the BJP on Friday accused Punjab Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu of insulting India and sought an explanation from the Opposition party for the statements made by its leader.
“Navjot Sidhu and Congress should give a clarification whether this is also the line of the party otherwise we will consider it a statement by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. This has become Congress’ nature now-to insult India and its Prime Minister and praise Pakistan and its leaders,” said BJP spokesman Syed Shahnawaz Hussain.
“Navjot Sidhu is a Congress leader and his statement thanking Pakistan is an indication of what the Congress feels about Pakistan. On one side General Qamar Javed Bajwa has spewed venom against India, saying his military was ready to avenge bloodshed of its men on the border with ‘khoon ka badla khoon’ and in India a Congress leader is thanking Pakistan,” Hussain said.
Sidhu on Friday said he had “no words to thank” Pakistan’s new Prime Minister for opening the corridor of Kartarpur Sahib on Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary in November. “They (Pakistan) are ready to open the corridor of Kartarpur Sahib on the 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Ji. There can be no bigger happiness than this for the people of Punjab,” Sidhu was quoted as saying. He also asked Central Government to reciprocate Khan’s gesture.
BJP spokesman pointed to Bajwa’s speech at Pakistan’s 53rd Defence Day on Thursday to criticise Sidhu who was profuse in his praise for Pakistan premier. “We will avenge the blood flowing on the border,” reports from Pakistan quoted Bajwa as saying.