Cong seeks security for Sidhu, writes to Rajnath

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

The Congress today asked the Centre to provide CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) security for Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, saying he is a high-risk target due to his anti-BJP and anti-Akali politics.

In a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress media head Randeep Singh Surjewala cited the hectic election schedule of Sidhu, a star campaigner of the Congress in five poll-bound states, to demand immediate security for him.

“Given that Navjot Sidhu is and will be travelling extensively outside Punjab for campaigning as also other party programmes to various states during the current elections to five states as also in the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, we request you to take immediate action to provide CISF security cover to him throughout the country,” Surjewala said.

The Congress argued that the Centre should rise above political differences to ensure Sidhu’s safety.

“It is your office that is charged with the responsibility of providing security cover through the CISF to individuals, who are at high risk,” Surjewala said, telling the Home Minister that the Centre had given CISF security to Bikram Majithia, Akali Dal MLA, against whom Sidhu had taken up cudgels on numerous occasions.

In his letter, Surjewala also mentioned Sidhu’s “highly visibly profile and anti-drug campaign in Punjab” as reasons behind growing threat to his life.

“After Sidhu left the BJP, the threatening tone and disparaging remarks by various Akali Dal-BJP leaders, including BJP national president Amit Shah are also well known,” the letter read.