Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi  |  Photo Credit: ANI
Chandigarh: Days after Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s ‘make a cop wet his pants’ remark made waves in poll-bound Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi appeared to hit back on Friday. Speaking at an event in Jalandhar’s Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex, the latter assured that criminals wet their pants when they saw policemen in Punjab.
Without naming names, the Congress leader urged police personnel to perform their duty irrespective of what was being said by whom. He also said that if any criminal element raises an evil eye against the police force, or if anyone speaks against them and uses any wrong language, Channi would consider it was being done against him and his government.
“There may be 100 people saying anything against me but I am moving forward with positive thinking. I have to work for the welfare of common people and likewise, our police force too has to work for their welfare,” he was quoted as saying.
Notably, Sidhu’s recent comments had prompted criticism from several quarters with many including police officials and politicians condemning the Congress MLA. The remarks in question had been made last month during a political event, while the PCC chief praised two party leaders. Pointing towards sitting MLA Navtej Singh Cheema during a rally in Sultanpur Lodhi, he had contended that the former could make a “thanedar (cop) wet his pants”. He had then gone on to repeat the remark during a rally at Batala a few days later, with local leader Ashwani Sekhri standing by his side.
With mere months left for the Punjab Assembly elections, the ruling Congress has undergone severe upheaval recently. At the beginning of November 2021, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had quit the party, setting up his own outfit and later announcing his plans to contest the elections in alliance with the BJP.
Hitting out at Sidhu last week, Singh had dubbed the Congress’ recent conduct “shameful”, adding that it was “sad to see our men in uniform being disrespected”. “1,700 Punjab Police personnel sacrificed their lives to bring the state out of the dark days and now they are being mocked by Punjab Congress leaders and above all their President,” he added in a tweet.