Chandigarh: Former BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday claimed that his security cover has been withdrawn, as he attacked the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government in Punjab for indulging in "petty" politics and hitting "below the belt".
The move comes close on the heels of Sidhu's attack on SAD in poll-bound Haryana, where it is in alliance with INLD.
"There were three security personnel provided to me for security. All of them have been withdrawn," Sidhu said.
Asked if he saw this as a consequence of his attack on SAD, BJP's ally in Punjab, during his poll campaigning for BJP candidates in Haryana, Sidhu said while he could not answer that, but added, "I will continue to walk the path of truth".
"I will not shy away from saying the truth and will not buckle under any pressure. Those who walk the path of truth have nothing to fear. If they believe in playing petty politics, what one can say," the former MP from Amritsar said.
The cricketer-turned-politician said they (Akalis) have no answers to the questions he had raised.
Sidhu said that whatever he had been saying (about Akalis), they should have called him and discussed the matter across the table rather than taking such "petty steps and hitting below the belt".
However, when contacted, Home Secretary Jagpal Singh said he was busy in a meeting and ADGP (Security), Punjab, Dinkar Gupta did not take the calls.
Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, BJP MLA from Amritsar (East) and Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the SAD-BJP Punjab government was also critical of the decision of the government.
She said that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy, Sukhbir Singh Badal will be directly responsible if anything happens to her husband.
Navjot Kaur said that Sidhu enjoys a 'Y' category security cover.
"Earlier today, a security personnel attached with him got a call from his higher ups that all three personnel should immediately withdrawn from the security duty after which they left," she said.
She said that when Sidhu was an MP, there were eleven security personnel with him but as he did not contest this time, it had been pruned down.
Sidhu had attacked the Akalis, who are an ally of the BJP in Punjab, while campaigning for BJP candidates in Haryana recently.
Among other places, Sidhu had also campaigned against the Akalis on the seats of Ambala City and Kolianwali in Sirsa, both of which are being fought by Shiromani Akali Dal.
The remaining 88 seats in 90-member Haryana assembly are being contested by SAD's Haryana ally the INLD.
Taking a dig at SAD for tying up with INLD in Haryana, Sidhu had during his campaigning said, "Our allies hug us in Punjab, but in Haryana, they are wrestling with us (up against BJP), which is unethical."
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