Sidhu’s statement prompts a backlash

Manav Mander
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 16

It seems Navjot Singh Sidhu’s statement after the Pulwama attack has not gone down well with his party members as well. Punjab Congress general secretary Pawan Dewan today said Sidhu should be expelled from the Cabinet and a case should be registered against him for being a “traitor”.

After Pulwama attack, Sidhu had stated that nations cannot be held responsible for the acts of terrorists.

Dewan urged Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh to expel Sidhu from the Cabinet as he has not only betrayed the country, but also hurt the sentiments of the countrymen. He urged Rahul Gandhi to expel Sidhu from the party.

“Sidhu does not have a place in the party which has great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Beant Singh in its lineage. Sidhu’s bag and baggage should be packed and sent to the BJP. If not this, then Sidhu should go to Pakistan and become a minister there, as he has a friend there and will become minister easily,” Dewan said.

Dewan said the entire country was sad because of the incident and mourning the death of soldiers and amid this, such statements were uncalled for.

Amarjit Singh Tikka, another Congress leader, condemned the Pulwama attack and said the martyrdom of soldiers should not go waste and the country should avenge this act of cowardice.

District BJP vice-president Parminder Mehta said every Indian’s heart was mourning the incident, but Sidhu was still not finding any fault in Pakistan. “Such people do not belong to any nation and if security is provided to such kind of people, it should be taken back,” Mehta said.