New Delhi: Former Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu had loads to say after stepped out of a Patiala jail Saturday, starting from effusive reward for Rahul Gandhi amid the disqualification row to stringent criticism for his “youthful brother”, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
He was, nevertheless, not direct in his reply to questions on Punjab’s most needed man, Khalistani activist Amritpal Singh.
Sidhu, who spent about 10 months in Patiala’s Central Jail, was sentenced to a 12 months’s rigorous imprisonment by the Supreme Courtroom over the dying of 65-year-old Gurnam Singh in a street rage case in 1988 final 12 months, however bought an early launch as a result of “good behaviour”.
Attacking the central authorities, the previous cricketer mentioned that its “Hindutva agenda” wouldn’t work in Punjab prefer it did in Kashmir, as a result of the state wasn’t a Sikh or a Muslim state, however for the “Gurus”, and that there have been makes an attempt to interrupt it.
He additionally alleged that there was a “conspiracy to place President’s Rule in Punjab, the place there’s a minority authorities in energy”.
In response to studies, quite a lot of Congress leaders, together with former Punjab Congress chiefs Shamsher Singh Dullo, Mohinder Singh Kaypee and Lal Singh, former MLA Navtej Singh Cheema, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Aujla, different leaders and supporters had assembled exterior the jail for Sidhu’s launch.
Dhol gamers had additionally been stationed exterior the jail, whereas a number of posters and hoardings of the previous Punjab Congress chief have been put up in Patiala metropolis to welcome him.
Though he was anticipated to be launched from jail at Saturday midday, the method bought delayed by over eight hours, which Sidhu claimed was as a result of Punjab authorities being “terrified” and wanting the media to depart earlier than he was launched. “They have been testing the media. Except they (media) don’t depart, Sidhu won’t be launched,” he informed mediapersons.
Sidhu’s son Karan Sidhu additionally expressed unhappiness over the “delay” in his father’s launch, claiming it may be as a result of “politics”.
‘Revolution’s title is Rahul Gandhi’
Focusing on Bhagwant Mann, Sidhu alleged that the CM had offered “false desires” to the individuals of Punjab and questioned him over the state’s monetary burden, debt incurred by offering free home electrical energy, Bargari sacrilege, promised MSP for crops and provision of jobs and regularisation, and legislation and order over Sidhu Moosewala’s dying.
In the meantime, expressing his assist and respect for the Gandhi household, Sidhu whereas speaking to the media mentioned: “Now hearken to me. At any time when a dictatorship got here on this nation, a revolution additionally got here, and at present I can say whereas beating my chest that the revolution’s title is Rahul Gandhi and he’ll shake the roots of this authorities.”
#WATCH | Patiala: At any time when a dictatorship got here to this nation a revolution has additionally come and this time, the title of that revolution is Rahul Gandhi. He’ll rattle the government: Navjot Singh Sidhu quickly after his launch from Patiala jail pic.twitter.com/wkrBrObxDG
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2023
The 59-year-old additionally expressed his fears about how “democracy is in chains” within the nation.
“If my youthful brother Bhagwant Mann is listening, it’s for him additionally. Punjab is a protect, towards which makes an attempt have been made to interrupt it, there’s conspiracy to place President’s Rule. Wherever there’s minority rule, or minority is in energy that’s the place democracy is conspired towards by the central authorities,” Sidhu claimed.
Patiala | There is no such thing as a such factor as democracy proper now. Conspiracy to carry President’s Rule in Punjab. Minorities being focused. Should you attempt to weaken Punjab, you’ll change into weak: Navjot Singh Sidhu quickly after his launch from Patiala jail pic.twitter.com/64UTOaCUJM
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2023
He additional mentioned fears about his spouse’s ailing well being as a result of most cancers and invoked Ambedkar’s fraternity. “I’m not scared. What I’m doing shouldn’t be for my household, however for the following era of Punjab. Nothing is greater than love for one’s nation. The Centre is attempting to interrupt Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s fraternity, which means how everybody in India regardless of variations in faith and tradition are a part of one large household. That’s what is being attacked and its protector is Rahul Gandhi.”
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
Additionally Learn: Sidhu will get 12 months in jail for 1988 street rage, SC cites younger cricketer’s ‘edge’ over aged sufferer