BJP targets Rahul for Sidhu’s remark

NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday seized on Navjot Singh Sidhu’s praise of Pakistani PM Imran Khan and his reference to the Rafale deal there to accuse Rahul Gandhi of allowing party leaders to raise domestic issues against PM Narendra Modi while on foreign soil.

“Insanity is contagious. Sidhu carries Rahul Gandhi’s falsehood against Rafale purchase to Pakistan. He found allies there,” BJP tweeted from its official handle. BJP has repeatedly targeted Sidhu, a former party MP who joined Congress, for his gushing praise of Khan and his hug of Pakistan army chief Qamar Bajwa.

Coming ahead of elections in four states, Sidhu’s remarks provided an opportunity to BJP to slam Congress for it silence and suggest that Sidhu was acting with the blessings of the party leadership. BJP’s attack was complimented by Punjab CM Amarinder Singh’s public warnings to the Pakistan army against misadventures, and served to show up the reticence of AICC in issuing any sort of reprimand or disapproval of Sidhu’s visit and remarks.

Rahul has been alleging corruption in the Rafale deal. But Sidhu’s reference to the deal in Pakistan could make party leaders uneasy, as it could be seen as a partisan comment, particularly in conjunction with high praise of the Pakistani PM.