‘Forced’ to wait at railway station, Sampla fumes

Abohar, July 20

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment and state BJP president Vijay Sampla had to wait for a “reception” as per protocol at the Sriganganagar railway station this morning when he saw that no senior state government officer had turned up. Some BJP activists were present to offer garlands but senior leaders, too, were nowhere to be seen. Sampla had travelled from New Delhi to Sriganganagar by a train. He was scheduled to attend a bhog ceremony of his relative in Srivijaynagar.

After a few minutes, when an Additional District Collector, Sub Divisional Magistrate and a circle officer of Rajasthan Police reached, the minister was heard asking them, “Were you not informed about my programme?”

Interacting with mediapersons at the Circuit House later, Sampla said cricketer-turned-parliamentarian Navjot Sidhu had not quit the BJP. Why will he join the Aam Aadmi Party, which is just a theatrical group?” he asked. “None of the AAP leaders, be it Arvind Kejariwal, Manish Sisodia or Bhagwant Mann, is a mature politician. They battle for media publicity by making exaggerated statements,” he said.

Responding to questions over stir complaining the shortage of water for Rajasthan, he said people in Punjab too were complaining of insufficient water, so how could neighbours expect more water than what people of Punjab were getting.