Crowd doesn’t mean votes: Jakhar

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, May 13

Congress Gurdaspur candidate Sunil Jakhar on Monday reminded BJP’s Sunny Deol that every Indian was a ‘desh bhakt’ (patriot) and that “nobody was a traitor”.

The Congress MP’s retort came after the actor addressed himself as a ‘desh bhakt’ in almost every gathering he attended recently.

“Patriots do not forget episodes like the Balakot air strikes. By remaining ignorant of the incident, which otherwise has been etched in the memory of every Indian, you (Deol) have proved beyond reasonable doubt that you are probably the only patriot in the entire country who does not know what happened in Balakot. This means you have no right to call yourself a ‘desh bhakt’. Please stop pulling the wool over gullible voters’ eyes,” he said.

To this, Deol said he didn’t require any proof from anyone about his patriotism.

As the high-stake battle for this seat is slowly reaching its climax, the verbal duels between both the protagonists are getting intense with each passing day.

“Could you show me a roadmap of what you intend to do for the people of this constituency? Your party is building a narrative based on nationalism and the Balakot strikes, but you are killing it with your lack of knowledge.”

Jakhar reminded the actor that the crowd at the latter’s gatherings should not be construed as votes. “All that glitters is not gold.”

“Wait till May 23 when the results will be declared. The MP’s delusions will be punctured that day,” Deol retorted.

Senior BJP leaders now make it a point every morning to inform the actor about the latest developments in the constituency and the country before he starts roadshows.