Capt Amarinder Singh camp calls for action against Navjot Sidhu’s advisers Malwinder Mali, Pyare Lal Garg
Chandigarh, August 24
Day after Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh hit out at PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu’s adviser Malwinder Singh Mali over his “anti-national and pro-Pakistan” remarks, a group of Punjab ministers and an MLA today sought action against Mali and another adviser, Pyare Lal Garg.
Remove Mali, Garg: Dissident group
AdvertisementAlso read: BJP ‘praises’ Navjot Sidhu’s adviser Malwinder Singh Mali over Indira Gandhi post
The dissident ministers, who have opened the front against the CM, have distanced themselves from statements by Sidhu’s advisers. Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa and Tript Bajwa said Kashmir was an integral part of India. “The advisers are using wrong statements. We have asked Sidhu to remove them,” said Bajwa.
PCC Chief must act
Responsibility lies with Sidhu, who appointed them. Only he can speak on this. — Ravneet Singh Bittu, MP
This comes hours after Mali, in reply to CM’s statement, hit out at his personal life. Taking exception to the comments by two of Sidhu’s advisers,
the ministers and the MLA called for stern action against them under the law.
AdvertisementAlso read: Navjot Sidhu’s adviser Malwinder Singh Mali courts controversy over Kashmir
Congress leaders questioned Sidhu’s failure to put his foot down on “anti-national and pro-Pakistan” diatribe by his aides. “The statements of both newly appointed advisers to Sidhu are clearly against India’s interests, and detrimental to national security,” said ministers Brahm Mohindra, Vijay Inder Singla, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Balbir Singh Sidhu and Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, along with MLA Raj Kumar Verka in a statement.
They urged the Congress central leadership to direct Sidhu to rein in his advisers. Party’s Punjab affairs in charge Harish Rawat said he had sought comments from Sidhu regarding the statements, which seemed to be doubtful, but if true, action would be taken.
“The Congress has made several sacrifices to safeguard nation’s security and peace, as have our soldiers at the borders. Nobody can or should be allowed to undermine these sacrifices and jeopardise the safety of our country and its people,” the group emphasised. The group warned against damage it could cause to the Congress in the run-up to the Assembly elections. — TNS
- Clear stand on Malwinder Singh Mali, Pyare Lal Garg: Oppn to Punjab Congress
- Stick to brief, avoid ill-conceived remarks: Capt Amarinder Singh to Navjot Singh Sidhu advisers
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