Days after Pakistan openly denied Congress leader and Punjab Congress MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu’s claims that Pakistan had agreed to open the Kartarpur corridor, the Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that Pakistan government has so far neither agreed to include Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara for Indian pilgrims under bilateral protocol nor has it initiated any official correspondence for establishing the corridor.
The Ministry was responding to the letter by Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal seeking clarification of Sidhu’s claims where the latter had accused Sidhu of playing with the sentiments of the Sikhs. Badal questioned Congress President Rahul Gandhi whether any action will be taken against a minister belonging to his party had gone to the enemy nation and betrayed Indians and played with the sentiments of the Sikhs.
I ask Rahul Gandhi that a minister of your party went to an enemy nation, betrayed our people & played with the sentiments of the Sikhs. Was this all done with your blessings? Will you take action against him or are you hand in glove with him?: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal pic.twitter.com/VWNmYuXxUs
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018
She asked whether this was done by Rahul Gandhi’s permission. She even referred to Sidhu as a new ‘puppet’ in the hands of Pakistan and accused of dancing on Pakistan’s tunes.
I think he is a new agent that Pakistan has found and they are using him as a puppet & he is dancing to their tune. Let him dance & deliver to our people: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Navjot Singh Sidhu pic.twitter.com/dEBixgHnuq
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018
Sidhu, in his defence, has said that the EAM has started working on the draft to be sent to Pakistan for Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara corridor.
We had a detailed discussion during the meeting, explained to her(EAM) about the necessity of opening of the Kartarpur corridor.A formal request should go from India’s side. EAM said to me, ‘the draft is being prepared & I will write a letter.’ : Punjab Minister Navjot S Sidhu pic.twitter.com/cECcCphTPp
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2018
Earlier, Sidhu had claimed that Pakistan is ready to open the corridor of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on the 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak which falls on 23rd November.
