Former Indian Army chief and current BJP leader General JJ Singh on Sunday took Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders to the cleaners for meeting pro-Khalistani voices. Reportedly, Mann and Raghav Chaddha recently met UK MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi – a staunch Khalistani supporter behind closed doors. Consequently, General JJ Singh, cornering AAP, questioned whether the party endorsed the “pro-separatist and anti-India” views of the British lawmaker.
Commenting on the meeting, General Singh said, “It is very unfortunate that AAP government in Punjab…is going the extra mile to welcome Labour Party MP Dhesi whose views are pro-separatist and anti-India. AAP owes a clarification to the country whether it supports his views on Kashmir and other matters which are against our country.”
The BJP leader further said Mann should disclose what transpired in the meeting with Dhesi, “Despite knowing that Dhesi has an anti-India stand on Kashmir, why CM Mann and Raghav Chadda met him recently in Punjab and must explain what assurance has been given to the British MP by Maan and Chadda,”
As soon as the veteran Army officer targeted AAP and called out Mann’s Khalistan love, other BJP leaders, who are usually passive, came out and started questioning the Punjab CM as well.
Senior BJP leader Vineet Joshi said, “Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi targets India when he talks about human rights. He openly supports Khalistani elements in Punjab. He is backed by Pakistan and remains silent when the human rights of Sikhs are violated in Pakistan.”
The role of the opposition is to always keep the party in power on its toes. While it’s a lost cause to expect anything from Congress as the party is still embroiled in a civil war, the least BJP can do is position itself as the principal opposition party.
Read More: We suspected Khalistani activity in AAP rule, Bhagwant Mann proves it
BJP needs to make General JJ Singh its face in Punjab
However, to do that, it needs a credible political face that can give the old-fashioned stare down to the Khalistan supporters and set them in their place. And none fits the bill better than General JJ Singh. The former Chief of Army Staff is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and has been decorated with medals like Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
During his tenures with his battalions, he has served in Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. During one of these tenures, he was wounded in a counter-insurgency operation. Later, he became India’s first Defence Attache to Algeria (1987-1990).
AAP may have come to power in the state riding the strong anti-incumbency wave against Congress but given the way it has started in the last month, the next 59 months could be a long and arduous trek for the ordinary folks of the state.
Thus, BJP needs to plan for the future. Currently, the party is behind Congress and SAD. If it wants to attempt to lead Punjab in the future – it ought to project leaders like General JJ Singh. The former CoAS can be projected as the leader having the capability to cull the Khalistani virus in the bud. He is one of the few credible faces Punjab BJP has and the saffron party should look to build an army around him.
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, his Khalistan love and India hatred
The infamous British MP has time and time again made anti-India statements and as per a Zee News report, he has been a vocal supporter of the Referendum 2020. The referendum 2020 was a movement seeking support for Khalistan by balkanizing the state of Punjab. Its organizer was the banned terrorist outfit named Sikh for Justice (SFJ).
Dhesi has not only taken a pro-Khalistan stand, albeit he is a staunch anti-India politician. He wanted his UK government to question India on Human rights issues in Kashmir and criticized the revocation of Article 370.
Well said @jeremycorbyn – we cannot remain silent in the face of human rights abuses. We need to stand in solidarity with the #Kashmiri people in their hour of need. https://t.co/LrStVCfQfB
— Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP (@TanDhesi) August 11, 2019
He wanted the UK to cut defence ties with India as he claimed India will use UK provided arms to suppress protests. He said, “UK made weapons may be used in repressing the ongoing farmers’ protests in India.”
Allegedly, AAP has deep-rooted ties with Khalistan sympathizers. It was extensively documented in the run-up to the elections. While the voters may have been swayed by the populist measures of AAP, it is up to BJP and General JJ Singh to step up and show the real face of AAP to the public.