Can’t insult PM and then seek central aid: Bittu

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday criticised an AAP government resolution slamming the PM over the central relief, saying it was unethical to insult the PM in the Assembly and then go running to the Centre for help.

The BJP leader made the remark after Mann concluded his speech during the special Assembly session called to discuss flood relief measures. Bittu, a Rajya Sabha member, was present in the Governor’s gallery when the CM was delivering his speech.

Launching a scathing attack against the BJP, which rules at the Centre, Mann said while it announced Rs 7,500 crore for a women-centric scheme in election-bound Bihar, party-ruled Centre gave only Rs 1,600 crore to flood-hit Punjab.

He also accused PM Narendra Modi of not giving him appointment to discuss the issue. Reacting to it, Bittu told reporters outside the House, “On one hand, ruling AAP allowed a resolution to be passed in the Assembly targeting the PM and on the other, Mann had a scheduled meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.”

“I have repeatedly urged CM Mann to visit Delhi and personally meet the Home Minister as all central agency reports concerning Punjab are first routed through the Ministry of Home Affairs before reaching the Prime Minister’s Office,” he claimed.

“You cannot insult the Prime Minister in the Assembly and then go running to the Home Minister for help. The people of Punjab can clearly see through this double-faced politics,” Bittu said.

Claiming that the Centre was fully committed to supporting Punjab, Bittu said despite this, ruling AAP legislators said in the Assembly that Punjab “did not need central help”. “Is Punjab not a part of India? Why should we forgo our rightful share,” he questioned.