After saying RaGa sent him to Pakistan, Sidhu denies statement
What's the story
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, whose visit to Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor put him at the center of a political controversy, has said he wasn't sent to the neighboring country by Congress President Rahul Gandhi. This clarification comes a day after he said he worked on the orders of 'captain' Gandhi and no one else, hinting at Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh.
The row
Sidhu's visit to Pakistan and slew of comments
Sidhu went to Pakistan, while Singh declined the invitation citing cross-border terrorism facilitated by Pakistan. Notably, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Harpreet Singh Badal also attended the ceremony. Upon return to India, Sidhu tackled a lot of questions and said, "Which captain are you talking about? Captain Amarinder Singh ji, he is an Army Captain. My captain is Rahul Gandhi saab."
Quote
Earlier, Singh said he asked Sidhu to reconsider decision
"I had asked Sidhu to reconsider his decision...but had acceded to his request for permission to go since I did not believe in stopping anyone from undertaking a personal visit," Singh had said earlier.
Twitter Post
My captain is Rahul saab: Sidhu
#WATCH Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress in Hyderabad: Mere captain Rahul Gandhi hain, unhone toh bheja hai har jagah (for #KartarpurCorridor). Hamare Captain sahab ke bhi Captain Rahul Gandhi ji hain' pic.twitter.com/XmagrUgfWw
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2018
Explanation
Later Sidhu says his statement was distorted
Not only this, Sidhu added 20 ministers of Congress urged him to go. He also said, "Punjab chief minister is like my father, I told him that I had already promised them (Pakistan) that I will go." After his statements gained a lot of attention, Sidhu, taking a U-turn, in a tweet asked everyone to get their facts straight and not distort them.
Twitter Post
The whole world knows I went on Imran Khan's invitation
Get your facts right before you distort them,
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) November 30, 2018
Rahul Gandhi Ji never asked me to go to Pakistan.
The whole world knows I went on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s personal invite.
The corridor
Separately, Sushma Swaraj was also invited but didn't go
The Kartarpur Corridor will ensure the Sikh community of India can easily visit the Kartarpur Gurudwara in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Saheb spent the last 18 years of his life. Notably, EAM Sushma Swaraj was also invited but prior reservations kept her busy. Later she said just because Pakistan has taken steps for the corridor, doesn't mean bilateral talks with them would resume.