Navjot Singh Sidhu Criticised by opposition for impending Pakistan visit
Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu was criticised by his political rivals on Tuesday for his impending visit to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan’s Prime Minister designate Imran Khan.
While SAD president Sukhbir Badal has advised the Punjab Cabinet Minister to stay back in Pakistan only, senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said Sidhu is “not mentally stable”.
Tearing into the senior Congress leader over his decision to attend Imran’s swearing-in, Sukhbir said, “Ever since Sidhu accepted Imran Khan’s invitation to attend the much-anticipated ceremony, he has undergone a baptism of fire….The Congress leader doesn’t know what he is doing and it would be better for everybody if he decides to stay back in Pakistan.”
Sukhbir, while talking with the media in New Delhi, said: “We don’t know what Navjot Singh Sidhu sahab will do tomorrow or in the near future and who knows what will be the repercussions of his doing. I personally think that Sidhu should stay back in Pakistan only, that way both Punjab and India will finally see some peace.”
Swamy, lashing out at Sidhu over his decision, said: “I don’t think Sidhu is of a stable mind. If he had some basic sense, he would not go to Pakistan to attend the swearing in of Imran Khan. If he goes, people will see this as an act of betrayal, nobody will forgive him.”
A cricket legend and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan emerged triumphant in the recently held general elections in Pakistan, and invited Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar besides Sidhu to attend his oath-taking ceremony on August 18.
While Sidhu is just awaiting a clearance from the Indian Government, the other two Indian cricketers — Kapil and Gavaskar — have refused to attend the same.
Sidhu is looking at his impending visits to the neighboring country and elevation of a former cricketer to the country’s apex post as a “golden opportunity to improve relations” between Indian and Pakistan.
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