Pulwama attack: Sidhu, Akali leader exchange barbs during budget session
The Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today sought dismissal of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for his "utterances" in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack even as Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia and the cricketer-turned-politician exchanged barbs in the House. Before the start of the Punjab Budget session, Akali leaders led by Majithia also burned the photographs of Sidhu's Pakistan visit outside the house.
Want to know clear stand of Congress, Punjab government: Majithia
Akali leaders burned the photographs of Sidhu including those in which he is seen hugging the Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. Sidhu visited Pakistan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Imran Khan, a cricketer-turned-politician, on August 18 last year. "Before everything else, we want to know the clear stand of the Congress and the Punjab government," said Majithia in the house.
Sidhu should be thrown out of Cabinet for utterances: Majithia
Majithia further attacked the Opposition by asking, "Do they condemn Pakistan Army Chief and Pakistan PM Imran Khan?" "After passing a unanimous resolution in the House for condemning the Pulwama terror attack, Sidhu was still saying that you cannot blame Pakistan, you cannot blame the individual," he remarked. "We want Sidhu should be thrown out of the Cabinet for his utterances," Majithia said.
SAD-BJP legislators shouted slogans against Sidhu during the Question Hour
As the Question Hour commenced, SAD-BJP MLAs stood up and raised slogans against Sidhu, Minister (Tourism and Cultural Affairs). SAD-BJP legislators, who were wearing black badges, also tried to disrupt the reply of Sidhu by shouting slogans against him. Sidhu and Majithia were even involved in a verbal duel even as the Speaker asked them not to disrupt the Question Hour of the session.
