Indians won't tolerate hugging Pak army chief: Amarinder Singh on if Sidhu's stand cost votes to Congress

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday sharply criticised his cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu by asserting that Indians, especially servicemen, will not tolerate hugging the Pakistani army chief.

While replying to a question about Sidhu's alleged pro-Pakistan stand affecting the Congress performance in Lok Sabha polls, Singh said, "I have said since day one, Indians, especially servicemen, will not tolerate hugging the Pakistani army chief. Every day there is some ceasefire violation, our soldiers lose their lives. It is the Pakistani general who gives the order for these things and you cannot go and hug him".

Upon being asked by Navjot Sigh Sidhu's statements denting the party's electoral prospects, he said, "I think it has cost us Bhatinda. Sidhu is the minister of urban development and we have lost in urban areas like Bhatinda and Gurdaspur. Cities are the places that Congress used to win. There is a reason because urban development is not there. I will take this issue up."

Singh also expressed shock over Congress trailing from Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency and said that people have given preference to an actor over an experienced candidate.

"Our candidate Sunil Jakhar has worked very hard in the constituency and had spent every weekend there. It is very unfortunate that he lost. I am unable to understand how a new candidate comes and wins because he is an actor. People give him preference rather than experience. Maybe as the democracy grows people may start thinking differently," said Singh.

Commenting on election results and whether Congress president Rahul Gandhi must resign because of party's poor performance, he said, "Rahul Gandhi is a very fine leader. I have seen him grow from the time he has entered politics. In politics, the ups and downs come. There was a time when Congress had an absolute majority and BJP had only two MPs. In politics, numbers keep changing."

The Congress party in Punjab, where 13 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, is maintaining its lead against the rival Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP alliance.

The seats where the Congress leading are Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar, Khadoor Sahib, Ludhiana, and Patiala.

In Sangrur, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Bhagwant Singh Mann was leading over Kewal Singh Dhillon.

SAD is leading in Bathinda, Ferozepur, while the BJP has established its lead in Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seats.