New Delhi | The Congress yesterday wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security cover for Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu citing “growing threat perception” to his life.
In a missive to Mr Singh, Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Mr Sidhu should be provided CISF security cover as he will be travelling extensively outside Punjab to campaign for the party in the ongoing assembly elections.
“Sidhu is a legislator and a senior (Punjab) cabinet minister as also an outspoken critic of Modi government’s policies, there seems to be a growing threat perception to his life,” Mr Surjewala said in the letter.
“Unfortunately, the extension of protection to Sidhu has been driven not by threat perceptions but by his politics,” he said.
In 2014, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Punjab had withdrawn Mr Sidhu’s security cover, which was reinstated after protest, the Congress spokesperson said.
“After Sidhu left the BJP, the threatening tone and disparaging remarks by various Akali Dal and BJP leaders, including BJP national president Amit Shah, are also well known,” Mr Surjewala claimed.
“Bereft of political differences and rivalries, it is your esteemed office that is charged with the responsibility of providing security cover through the CISF to individuals, who are at a high risk,” he said.
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