Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday wrote to Home Minister Rajnath Singh and sought the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security cover for Congress leader and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu citing 'growing threat perception to his life.'
In the letter, Surjewala has claimed that the there has been a marked escalation in the threats to Sidhu since he left the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and joined the Congress.
"Now that Sidhu is a legislator and a senior Cabinet minister of the Congress party as also an outspoken critic of Modi government's policies, there seems to be a growing threat perception to his life. As the Congress party's campaigner, Sidhu is traveling extensively throughout the country during elections as also on other party programmes on a regular basis," a portion of the letter by Surjewala reads.
The letter further outlines the fact that security provided to him by the Punjab government isn't extendable throughout the country. "While the state of Punjab has provided him adequate security, Punjab Police personnel cannot be assigned the responsibility of security in rest of India," reads the letter.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu said that the BJP is a puppet for the wealthy and influential people, adding that the party's intent and policies are aimed at further enhancing the wealth of the rich.
Sidhu also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was jealous of him as Imran Khan did not invite him to attend his swearing-in ceremony as Pakistan's Prime Minister.