Sidhu counters Harsimrat, says not snubbed by Swaraj

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 18

Rubbishing Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal’s claim that he was snubbed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the Kartarpur corridor issue, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Sidhu on Tuesday said Swaraj had assured him that the draft of letter to take up the issue with Pakistan was ready and it would be sent soon.

Following a meeting between Sidhu and Swaraj on Monday, Harsimrat had claimed that Sidhu had made an unannounced visit to the External Affairs Minister and was “told that he had no business making false claims”.

However, Sidhu rubbished her claim saying he would prefer not to politicise the religious issue. “The appointment was taken in advance and the minister said that the draft of the letter was ready and would soon be sent to Pakistan,” he said during a press conference here. He said former minister MS Gill had accompanied him.

In a separate letter to Swaraj, Sidhu said Pakistan PM Imran Khan had held a meeting with all stakeholders and Sikh pilgrims’ yearning to visit Kartarpur Sahib would soon be fulfilled as they were ready to open the corridor. Harsimrat, meanwhile, challenged Sidhu to show proof of clearance given by the Pakistan to open the corridor.