New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday objected to Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu’s statement where he had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should use chopper to reach rally venues in Punjab as he may face protests on the roads.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor emphasized that there should be no politics over PM Modi’s security or internal security in the border state.
ALSO READ | All Have Welcomed Rahul Gandhi’s Decision: Sidhu Counters Claims Of Infighting In Punjab Congress
Talking to reporters, Arvind Kejriwal said: “Punjab is a border state. There should be no politics over the security of the Prime Minister or internal security”, ANI reported.
Bharatiya Janata Party also strongly condemned the Congress MP’s statement as BJP in-charge for Punjab Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that “such threats” vindicated the BJP’s stand that the Prime Minister’s Ferozepur rally was disrupted under a proper plan by the Congress government.
“Now again they may try to repeat the same mischief while using the name of farmers,” he added, as reported by PTI.
According to Gajendra Shekhawat, Congress was feeling threatened by the BJP’s growing popularity in Punjab. He pointed out that farmers had not objected to or protested against any of the BJP’s programs in Punjab during the election campaigning.
“This has obviously disturbed and frustrated the Congress,” he said, alleging that Congress is now trying to misuse the name of farmers to disrupt the Prime Minister’s rally again with the intention to deflect public attention from its internal fighting.
The Union Minister warned against any such move while he hoped that the Election Commission of India would take serious note of Ravneet Bittu’s statement.
“Everything has been settled with farmers and there is no issue with them. The only issue is the Congress’ imminent defeat for which its leaders may try to use all the foul means in desperation which cannot be allowed at any cost,” he asserted.
ALSO READ | Punjab Election 2022: Navjot Singh Sidhu Will Be Given ‘Super CM’ Post, Says Congress MP Ravneet Bittu
Ravneet Singh Bittu’s Statement On PM Modi’s Punjab Rally
On Friday, Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu opined that PM Narendra Modi should come by air for his rally in Punjab because the people may come out on roads to protest against him because of the rage they have over their struggle during the anti-farm laws protest .
“He is welcome. We have told the people to listen to the Prime Minister. He should come by air. He would still have problems by road because he has kept every Punjabi on the road for more than a year. How would they forget? More than 700 farmers died during the protest. If his car goes by road, there is anger in the minds of the people, so they may come out in protest against the Prime Minister. So he should use the helicopter,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
The comment also came in reference to the security breach during PM Modi’s visit to Ferozepur in January.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stuck atop a flyover for 15-20 minutes while on his way to Ferozepur in Punjab earlier in January due to the road being blocked by some protesters.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had termed the incident as a “major lapse” in his security.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address public rallies in Punjab on February 14, 16, and 17, covering all three regions of Malwa, Doaba, and Majha, PTI had reported a BJP leader as saying.
Punjab Assembly Election will be held in a single phase on February 20. The counting of votes will take place on March 10.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
,