CHANDIGARH: The SAD-BJP Government in Punjab has withdrawn the security cover of cricketer- turned-former-Amritsar-MP Navjot Singh Sidhu after he launched a no-holds-barred attack on Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal while campaigning for the saffron party in Haryana.
Sources said three gunmen attached to the personal security of the ex-MP were on Tuesday asked to report back to their respective battalions or districts.
When contacted, Sidhu said, “There were three security personnel provided to me for security. All of them have been withdrawn. When they (Badals) have no answers to real issues, they react with such petty politics.”During the election campaign in Haryana, Sidhu had alleged that the Akalis (SAD) had “backstabbed” the BJP by supporting the INLD in Haryana. The SAD is in an alliance with the INLD in the state while the BJP is contesting the elections solo.
Also, Sidhu had dubbed the Badal Government a “government of looters”. Asked if the government was being vindictive, Sidhu said, “I cannot say anything on this” but added, “I will not shy away from saying the truth and will not buckle under any pressure”.
Meanwhile, the BJP termed the development “extremely unfortunate”. Party state chief Kamal Sharma said, “Chief Minister Badal should immediately intervene and issue orders for the reinstatement of Sidhu’s security cover.”