Capt Amarinder Singh to blame for more powers to BSF: Pargat Singh

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, October 14

Dissent within the Congress over increasing BSF powers in the state came to fore with Cabinet Minister Pargat Singh, a confidant of PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying former CM Capt Amarinder Singh was hand-in-glove with the BJP.

Questions Delhi visits

When Capt Amarinder met Amit Shah, paddy procurement was delayed… when he went to Delhi again, the BSF’s jurisdiction has been increased. — Pargat Singh, Cabinet Minister

It’s publicity stunt

You and Navjot Sidhu are clearly birds of the same feather, with nothing better

to do than cook up ridiculous stories for cheap publicity. — Capt Amarinder Singh, Ex-chief minister

Jakhar targets CM Channi, Amarinder      

Former PCC chief Sunil Jakhar said by visiting the Home Minister and asking for sealing the borders, CM Charanjit Singh Channi had given an excuse to the Centre to justify the new powers to the BSF. “What was the urgency to call upon Amit Shah and authenticate the narrative built up for four and a half years by Capt Amarinder?” Jakhar said.

He said the development smacked of a “design to impose Governor’s rule in the state by tagging it as a  disturbed state”.

His statement came on the day when CM Charanjit Singh Channi called upon the former CM, along with his wife, newly-wed son and daughter-in-law, at the latter’s Siswan farmhouse.

Shortly after Channi returned, Capt Amarinder hit back at Pargat Singh, saying: “This is the height of irresponsibility on the part of a minister. You and Sidhu are clearly birds of the same feather, with nothing better to do than cook up ridiculous stories for cheap publicity.”

Addressing the media today, Pargat said: “What is Capt sahib trying to prove? I always said he is with the BJP. Earlier, when he went to Delhi and met Home Minister Amit Shah, paddy procurement was delayed by 10 days and now when he has gone to Delhi again, BSF’s jurisdiction has been increased.”

A bête noire of Capt Amarinder, Pargat Singh said: “Captain sahib, please do not do this. We respect you a lot. The BJP should also understand that they cannot let Punjab become a disturbed state. It seems they want to impose Governor’s rule. I want to tell them that we will not allow the BJP to be successful in its designs.”