Cong defends Sidhu’s Pakistan visit

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 18

The Congress on Saturday defended the Pakistan visit of Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, calling it a step in the right direction.

“Sidhu has shown sportsmanship by accepting the invitation from Imran Khan. The ball is now in the latter’s court, whether he can reciprocate the gesture and show he’s his own person and not a Pakistan Army proxy,” said Sunil Jakhar, Punjab Congress president.

The Congress also dismissed criticism from BJP leaders about Sidhu not just attending Khan’s swearing-in at a time of national mourning over the demise of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, but also hugging the Pakistan Army Chief.

Asked to comment on Haryana minister Anil Vij’s statement condemning Sidhu’s Pakistan trip, Congress media chief Randeep Surjewala said, “No one takes the person in question (Vij) seriously. Suggest you don’t take him seriously too. Would be good for you.”

Earlier on Saturday, Jakhar said Sidhu’s gesture (travelling to Pakistan) was reciprocal in a way, considering the presence of then Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif at Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as PM here in 2014.

“Our own government has given Sidhu visa to attend Imran Khan’s swearing-in. Sidhu’s gesture is good because Mr Modi’s muscular policy of dealing with Pakistan and other neighbours has not paid off. Looks like the Centre is wary of anything positive coming out of Sidhu’s attendance at Khan’s swearing-in,” Jakhar said.

In Ludhiana, Punjab Jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said Sidhu had gone to Pakistan in his personal capacity, not on behalf of the Congress or the state government.

On the BJP seeking an apology from the Congress for Sidhu’s visit, Randhawa said, “Why should the party say sorry?”

Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said Sidhu was touring Pakistan as a “player, not as a politician”.

In Amritsar, BJP leader Anil Joshi lashed out at Sidhu for hugging Pakistan Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa during Imran Khan’s oath-taking ceremony. Joshi said while the Pakistan Army was killing Indian jawans on the border, Sidhu was embracing its chief.

“The nation is in grief after Vajpayee's death, but Sidhu is attending parties in the ‘enemy’ country, The Congress should suspend him,” he added.