In a scathing attack on former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday termed Amarinder as Centre's "parrot" and warned BJP to stop playing politics or they will get a benefitting reply referring to the growing chorus for the imposition of the President's rule in the state.
Defending the Channi government in Punjab which is facing questions over the security breach of Prime Minister, Sidhu said, "All that is being talked about for the past couple of days is security. And there are a few parrots who are mindlessly repeating security, security, security. And the foremost among those parrots are our former chief minister Amarinder Singh," Sidhu claimed.
Sidhu who is famous for the quotations and witty turns of phrases he employs in everyday life was for the first time was seen reading from a paper in a press conference.
"They (BJP) must stop playing politics. You will get a befitting reply here. All those talking about President's Rule (in Punjab), are your (BJP) parrots," Sindhu attacked the BJP in a press conference.
He further claimed that the BJP has neither votes nor support in the state.
"How can PM address 7000 chairs in which 500 people are sitting in a rally," he alleged.
"All the real issues of the state, be it farmers or unemployment have been put to the backburner."
He further said that the office of the Prime Minister is an institution and millions of Punjabis have lost their lives to protect it, Every Punjabi and the worker of the Congress party will fight till their last breath to protect the nation.
"PM Modi your party and Sangh Parivar may not have hoisted numerous times the tricolour in their lives, the same innumerable times the tirangaa (tricolour)have been wrapped around the bodies of Punjab Sapoots, therefore to claim that PM Modi's as life was in danger in Punjab in an insult to Panjabiyat" he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Amarinder Singh has demanded dismissal of the government and imposition of the President's rule in the state.
In a statement, the former Chief Minister said, "This government has lost all the moral and constitutional authority to continue in office as it failed in its constitutional duty to provide security to our Prime Minister".
PM Modi was scheduled to visit Ferozepur on Wednesday to lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 42,750 crore.
The Home Ministry has taken cognisance of the "serious security lapse" and has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government. The state government has also been asked to fix responsibility for this lapse and take strict action.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU