NEW DELHI: Congress candidate from Jalandhar and former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi courted a fresh controversy while addressing a press conference at his residence in Jalandhar. He said that if Congress comes to power at the Centre, they will open the India-Pakistan border. The development comes days after he received a warning from the Election Commission of India for his objectionable remarks made earlier this month.
Notably, over the last decade, India has followed a consistent policy that terror and talks can’t continue, that is, Pakistan would have to put an end to terrorism to resume bilateral discussions with India. Incidentally, it was Pakistan that suspended bilateral imports of essential items like medicines from India after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 in August 2019.
Speaking to media on Saturday, Channi said, “After our government is formed at the national level, we will open Punjab’s Wagah Border. This will allow people from Pakistan to come to Punjab for medical treatment. This will promote medical tourism in Jalandhar.” During the press conference, he also claimed that PM Modi’s rally in Jalandhar, Punjab, was a flop show.
Meanwhile, the recent controversial remarks by Former Punjab CM Chani come two days after the Election Commission of India issued him a stern warning for violating the Model Code of Conduct. An official of the poll body said that the Election Commission has issued a strict warning to the Congress candidate from Jalandhar Charanjit Singh Channi for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
The EC advised and warned Channi against repeating such violations in the future and emphasised the importance of adhering to the MCC guidelines in letter and spirit, the spokesperson of the poll body said.