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Editorial

Navjot Sidhu stumped Capt Amarinder and Sukhbir Badal on Kartarpur Sahib corridor issue

SWATI WALIA | September 07, 2018 05:22 PM

By Swati Walia
CHANDIGARH: When Punjab Local bodies minister Navjot Sibgh Sidhu who visited Pakistan on August 18 last and returned home with a promise from Pakistan army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa to open the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib corridor for Sikh pilgrims, he little realised he will be hounded by by his bête noire SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badfal and his own boss Capt Amarinder Singh. Sidhu was virtualy mocked for compromising the national security. Even Capt Amarinder Singh had disapproved Sidhu's action of hugging Bajwa.


While Sidhu was cornered for hugging the Pakistan army chief in a momentary reaction, the SAD superemo and Capt Amarinder Singh rushed to claim they were the first to demand for opening of Kartarpur Sahib corridor. Sukhbir Badal and his team met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to renew their demand and Capt Amarinder Singh government passed  resolution in Vidhan Sabha and flashed a letter to center government reinstating his wish of opening the corridor.

Three weeks after paksitan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to open the corridor and the announcement again brought Sidhu in the focus who now has his turn to shout at his critis. Sidhu has however taken it in humble way and left enough space for others to stake claim for the achievement. In fact Punjab's political class was not upset with Sidhu's hug instead they wanted to disrobe him of credit for the corridor. Sidhu had claimed that he hugged Bajwa out of emotional outbreak when Bajwa offerred his idea of Kartarpur Shib corridor.

Navjot Sidhu who was sure of Paks promise due to his proximity with Pakistan Prime Minister. The decision of Pakistan government is considered a big shot in arm of Sidhu and gave him political liverage over others.

Sidhu thanked the Pak PM Imran Khan for this gesture. Hsaid that it was blessing of Guru Nanak Dev ji. He said that he bow before his Guru for showering blessings. H said it would open new avenues of friendship between India and Pakistan. He said that Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had already written to center about the demand of all Punjabis to open the corridor. There is no question of Indian government dispproving the move because decision was pending with Pakiastan government.

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