Personal attacks may ‘hurt’ Captain Amarinder baiters

Chandigarh/Patiala, Oct 24

Raking up Aroosa Alam’s name at this juncture will harm Capt Amarinder Singh’s detractors in the Congress more than politically damage the former CM, unless the allegation of wrongdoing against the former CM’s Pakistan friend and other aides is taken to its logical conclusion, feels a section of party leaders.

A majority feels since Capt Amarinder is still in the Congress, personal attacks over his Pakistan friend will amount to washing dirty linen in public.

A Captain bête noire and Cabinet minister said it had only exposed the character of those raking up the issue. “Why didn’t they speak up for four-and-a-half years. They are speaking now when she is not here. Her existence was known to all.” While Rana Gurmit Sodhi, a former Cabinet minister and Captain confidant, refused to comment, another former minister said by launching a personal attack on Alam, party leaders had exposed themselves to questioning in public forum. However, defending the raking up of Alam’s name, MLA Kulbir Singh Zira said it would expose the former CM and bring all his close aides under the scanner as acts of omission and commission centred around her.

On the other hand, the former CM’s hometown, Patiala, is not happy with the way politicians across party lines have targeted him personally to score political points. Residents and leaders feel there are so many other issues that need to be addressed for the betterment of the state.

The issue has been raked up with Captain’s relationship with the Congress becoming bitter by the day ever since his resignation from the post of CM. Politicians in Patiala feel leaders across party lines should not indulge in personal mudslinging. “I firmly believe we should talk about development and what can be done to help Punjab youths, rather than waste our time and energy to demean anyone on personal relations they share with anyone,” said former Cabinet minister Surjit Singh Rakhra. “Such accusations help no one”, he said. District Congress chief KK Malhotra called it “a non-issue”. “We all have to be responsible while targeting someone,” he said. — TNS

Bitter relationship

The issue has been raked up with Captain’s relationship with the Congress becoming bitter by the day ever since his resignation. Politicians feel leaders across party lines should not indulge in personal mudslinging.