Amidst the security breach row during Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to the state, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu hit out at BJP leaders saying that the story is being made to reap political benefits in other poll-bound states. He also alleged that the rant about security lapses would also save themselves from humiliation as PM Modi would have had to address a gathering of 500 people when arrangements for 70,000 were made.
Along with Congress leader Alka Lamba, Sidhu launched a scathing attack on the BJP. The saffron party had accused the Congress of conspiring to physically harm the prime minister.
The prime minister’s convoy was stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Punjab’s Ferozepur on Wednesday, after which he returned from the poll-bound state without attending any event, including a rally.
The Punjab government has ordered a probe into the incident while also maintaining that there was no security lapse.
“It is an attempt to save themselves from humiliation, because it must never have happened that a prime minister addressed 500 people when 70,000 chairs were arranged (for the BJP’s Ferozepur rally on Wednesday). What does this show and that too at a programme of the prime minister? They (BJP leaders) stand exposed. It is very clear that they have no support in the state,” Sidhu said.
He also said that to thrust the onus of PM Modi’s security entirely on the state police is not right as 10,000 people are involved in the prime minister’s security paraphernalia, including officials of the SPG, RAW, IB and other central agencies, and the state police takes instructions from them.
Sidhu also hit out at former chief minister Amarinder Singh, who has demanded the imposition of president’s rule in Punjab after the security lapses during PM Modi’s visit and wondered “why attempts are being made to spoil Punjab’s atmosphere when polls are approaching”.
He said the BJP thinks that only those who are with it are patriots, while asserting that Congress workers will fight for the nation “till their last breath”.
Reminding PM Modi that he is the prime minister of the entire country and not only of those associated with the BJP, the state Congress chief said, “Everyone knows how precious your life is. But Punjab and Punjabiyat are being insulted when it is said that the prime minister has said (to thank Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi) that his life was saved. This is a big farce and I say this categorically.”
