If Amritpal Singh is Khalistani, why allowed oath: Ex-CM Charanjit Channi

New Delhi: Former Punjab Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi today questioned the Centre over Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh saying “if he is a Khalistani, why were his nomination papers not rejected? Why was he brought to Parliament to take oath as an MP?” “Amritpal had taken oath of upholding the Indian Constitution, now by not allowing him to participate in parliamentary proceedings, injustice is being done to the people who elected him,” said Channi while talking to The Tribune.

“It’s strange, I am being accused of helping Khalistanis. Amritpal is in Dibrugarh jail… Who opened the door for him to file the nomination papers for contesting the elections,” asked the Congress leader.

Channi, who was accused by the ruling party of misleading the House when he said the National Security Act (NSA) was slapped on protesting farmers, showed a press note of the Ambala police issued in February 2024, saying, “Four farmers were booked under the NSA. Later, a process was started to revoke the NSA. All this is a matter of record.”

On the allegations of MoS for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, Channi said, “Bittu ji, if you think I have assets worth crores, let us swap our properties. I give you an option, I will give you whatever I have, you give me whatever you have.”

Asked about the personal nature of the allegations, Channi said: “I don’t want to say much. He is behaving like a newly married daughter-in-law who tries to create an impression at the in-law’s place.” Bittu had switched to the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha poll. — Ajay Banerjee