Navjot Singh Sidhu, Capt Amarinder Singh in war of words over farm laws

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 21

As Capt Amarinder Singh prepares to float a political outfit, while trying to play a possible role in ending the farmers’ sir, a war of words has erupted between the former Chief Minister and PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Favoured corporates

The architect of three black laws, who brought Ambani to Punjab's ‘kisani’, who destroyed farmers, traders and labour to benefit one or two big corporates. — Navjot Singh Sidhu, PCC Chief

It’s diversification

You are clueless about Punjab and its farmers’ interests. You clearly don’t know the difference between diversification and what agircultural laws are all about. — Capt Amarinder Singh, Ex-CM

Amarinder hits back at Rawat

Responding to Punjab affairs in charge Harish Rawat over his secularism remark, Capt Amarinder Singh cited Congress’ alliance with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. “What’s this if not sheer political opportunism?” he said.

The cricketer-turned-politician on Thursday termed the former CM the architect of the three central farm laws. “The architect of three black laws, who brought Ambani to Punjab’s ‘kisani’, who destroyed Punjab’s farmers, small traders and labour for benefitting one or two big corporates,” Sidhu tweeted.

Hitting back at Sidhu, Captain Amarinder said: “It is obvious you are clueless about Punjab and its farmers’ interests. You clearly don’t know the difference between diversification and what the farm laws are all about. And yet you dream of leading Punjab. How dreadful if that ever happens.”

Terming the PCC chief a cheat who is trying to link his 15-year-old crop diversification initiative with the farm laws, the former CM said he was still fighting on the issue and had linked with it his political future.

Reacting to a video shared by Sidhu on the then CM talking of inviting corporate houses, Captain Amarinder said: “It is hilarious that you’ve chosen to post this video at a time when the Punjab Government is going all out to promote its upcoming Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit. Or are you opposed to that too?”

Hitting back at Punjab affairs in charge Harish Rawat over his secularism remark aimed at Captain Amarinder, the former CM reminded him that Sidhu was part of the BJP for 14 years and Pargat Singh was in the Akali Dal prior to joining the Congress.

Questioning Rawat, Captain Amarinder, citing the example of Congress’ alliance with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, said it was fine to join forces with so-called communal parties as long as it suited the Congress. “What’s this if not sheer political opportunism?” he said. The former CM said: “Today you’re accusing me of helping my rival Akali Dal for four and a half years. I have been fighting court cases against them for the past 10 years.”

Captain Amarinder said the Congress was apprehensive that he would damage party’s interests in Punjab. “Fact is the party has damaged its own interests by not trusting me and giving its reins to an unstable person like Sidhu who’s only loyal to himself,” he added.

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