Will stage coup in Akali bastion: Sidhu

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 14

Cabinet Minister and Congress’ star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was missing from the poll scene in Punjab, entered the election campaign with a bang. Accompanying Priyanka Gandhi and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Sidhu was greeted with a loud cheer from the crowd.

Sidhu said he would hold 10 rallies on May 17, if Congress candidate Raja Warring asked him so. He told the crowd, “If you will defeat the Badals in Bathinda, you will save the coming generations of Punjab.” In his trademark style, he said, “Here comes Sidhu on May 17, bhag Badal bhag. I promise Rahulji, Priyankaji and Captain Saab that I would return to Bathinda and demolish the Badals.” He said he would expose both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal during his campaign in Bathinda.

Sidhu said if he could not ensure punishment to the perpetrators of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, his soul would never rest in peace. He went on to pledge, “I will quit politics, if I cannot uphold the honour of Guru Granth Sahib.” He said generations after generations of Punjab were getting ruined — first due to terrorism, then to drug abuse and now to brain drain.

He said the elections were fought for next generations and not for the next elections. During the rally, Sidhu was spotted interacting with Priyanka as well as Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, although he didn’t share a word with the Chief Minister.

Incidentally, Sidhu’s arrival at the rally and his announcement to garner support for Raja Warring in Bathinda on May 17 came as a surprise to many, as he hasn’t campaigned in the state till now. Moreover, a statement released by his office yesterday stated that he would campaign in HP on May 15 and Madhya Pradesh on May 16-17.