Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi drew criticism from Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over his remarks against the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Addressing a poll rally, Channi, who is Congress chief minister face for the Punjab polls, said that they will not let bhaiyas of UP, Bihar and Delhi enter Punjab, evoking sharp reactions from various quarters.
Congress general secretary from Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi who was standing next to the Punjab CM can be seen smiling and applauding.
Hitting out at Channi, Kejriwal deplored his comments and asked if Priyanka Gandhi is also a “bhaiya” as she also “belongs to UP.”
“It is very shameful. We strongly condemn comments aimed at any individual or any particular community. Priyanka Gandhi also belongs to UP so she is also a ‘bhaiya’,” he said.
BJP also came down heavily upon the Punjab CM and Gandhi and said that they insulted the people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
“Rahul Gandhi and Punjab CM has insulted the people of UP, Priyanka Ji laughed. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee calls UP public goons and Akhilesh Yadav welcomes her with big bouquets. Have Congress and SP taken the responsibility to insult UP?” asked Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Union minister and BJP leader Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress party “wants to divide and rule”.
JD(U) described Channi’s remarks as an “attack on the federal structure”. “A lot of time and effort was invested by North Indians in building Punjab,” said JD(U) spokesperson Arvind Nishad.
Union minister Anurag Thakur said that Channi had insulted the people of Uttar Pradesh and asked if they would “take this lightly”.
BJP leader Vishnu Vardhan Reddy also criticised Channi’s remarks and tweeted: “Modiji is relentlessly working towards Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas & Congress still continuing divide & rule policy, can’t see all citizens of living together.”
Elections in Punjab are set to hold polls in a single phase on February 20 to elect 117 members of the state Assembly. The counting of votes will be done on March 10.
