Harjit Sajjan refuses AAP invite

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 18

Dubbed a “Khalistani sympathiser” by Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan has refused an invite by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Leader of the Opposition HS Phoolka had invited Sajjan for coffee with the party MLAs at Chandigarh during his visit to the state capital on April 21.

Phoolka said, “My office had sent an invitation to him via the Canadian High Commission. We have been told that his schedule is already very hectic and such a meet will not be possible.”

Party insiders said the refusal indicated that Sajjan didn’t want to be drawn into a controversy, considering some AAP leaders’ alleged links with Sikh hardliners.

Meanwhile, AAP Chief Whip Sukhpal Singh Khaira said here today that Capt Amarinder had snubbed Sajjan in order to appease his bosses in Delhi following the Ontario Assembly’s motion declaring the 1984 riots as genocide.

Addressing mediapersons, Khaira said the Ontario motion seemed unacceptable to the Congress high command.

“I urge the CM to reconsider his unjustified statement borne out of petty considerations and welcome Sajjan to Punjab as a state guest,” he added.