Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal took a jibe at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu after returning to India from Pakistan, saying that he receives more love and respect in Pakistan rather than in India. Harsimrat Kaur had visited Pakistan to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Pakistan side of the Kartarpur Corridor, where Sidhu was also invited.
Harsimrat Badal’s dig at Congress leader Sidhu comes after Imran Khan showered praises on him saying that Sidhu will win even if he contests an election in Pakistan. Imran Khan had stood in support of Navjot Singh Sidhu after he was severely criticised in India for visiting Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan, where he had hugged Pakistan Army General Bajwa.
“He (Imran Khan) offered him (Navjot Singh Sidhu) to fight elections from Pakistan. He (Sidhu) seems to have more love and respect in Pakistan than what I noticed over here. He has some good relationships over there,” Badal said to ANI.
Navjot Singh Sidhu had also caused a severe controversy after he posed with dreaded Khalistani terrorist Gopal Singh Chawla during his controversial visit to Pakistan to inaugurate the Kartarpur corridor. Khalistani terrorist Gopal Singh Chawla was earlier spotted alongside Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa at the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor.
Harsimrat Badal, along with Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri had officially attended the foundation laying ceremony of Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan. Pakistan had invited External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the event. But she said she can’t go due to other engagements, and the two union ministers represented the government of India. Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu had also been to Pakistan in his personal capacity after receiving an invite from the Pakistan government. Harsimrat Kaur Badal attending the event had said that it was an emotional and historic moment for her.
Imran Khan’s comments received strong reactions in the country as BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that Sidhu must get himself inducted in the Pakistan government’s Cabinet as he repeatedly professes love for the neighbouring country.
Navjot Singh Sidhu had eagerly accepted the invitation of the Pakistan government while Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had declined the invitation sent to him. Amarinder Singh had said that due to continued terrorist attacks in Punjab and horrific killings of Indian soldiers by Pakistan, he will not be attending the event.
