Sidhu downplays controversy over pic with pro-Khalistan activist in Pak
New Delhi, November 29
Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday downplayed the incident of getting a photo clicked with Pakistani pro-Khalistan separatist leader Gopal Singh Chawla which was posted by the latter on Facebook and soon went viral.
Downplaying the controversy, Sidhu said, “I got lot of love in Pakistan and everyday thousands of photos were clicked with people. How would I know who is Chawla or who is Cheema among them.”
The BJP also attacked Sidhu over the picture. BJP legislator in Delhi Manjinder Singh Sirsa, this morning, posted a series of tweets questioning Sidhu for the frame and asked him whether he cared for India’s sovereignty and Punjab’s peace. Sirsa asked Punjab CM Amarinder Singh whether he would sack Sidhu for the move given Chawla’s open anti-India rants.
“@capt_amarinder declined to visit Pak bcos Pak supports anti-India & anti-Punjab activities; but his own Minister @sherryontopp goes against his wish and gets clicked with Gopal S Chawla, close aide of Hafiz Saeed and anti-India person. Would Captain Sahab sack his irresponsible Minister?” asked Sirsa.
Sirsa earlier said Pakistan was still keeping a double face on the matter.
“@ImranKhanPTI Sahab gives the message of peace in a function where Gopal S Chawla is invited as well. He is close to Hafiz Saeed & openly threatens India of violence.Why invite him in the first place if you have to clarify it later?” Sirsa tweeted.
The BJP leader said: “In fact, Gopal S Chawla is so unwanted a person in Pak that @OfficialDGISPR has issued a clarification tweet portraying his non-closeness with him. But @sherryontopp is proudly getting clicked with Gopal Singh. Has Sidhu got no care for the peace & sovereignty of Punjab & India?”
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had declined the Pakistan invite for Kartarpur corridor event, while Sidhu had accepted it.
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