Sidhu calls off fast-unto-death after Badal's assurance

Amritsar, Sept 28: After written assurance from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu today called off his scheduled fast-unto-death.

The cricketer-turned-politician has announced yesterday that he would go on a fast-unto-death from today to protest against the stalling of disbursement of development funds for his Amritsar constituency.

The three-time MP said he has been assured by Badal that the Amritsar's development projects would be completed in a time-bound manner.

"Badal sahab is like a father to me, he has given me written assurance regarding the time-bound completion of the projects and I have decided to call off the programme," Sidhu said addressing a press conference here.

Sidhu said that he welcomed Badal's written assurance, but at the same time lamented that an elected representative had been forced to resort to a situation where he was left with no option but to think on going on fast-unto-death for the people of his constituency.

Sidhu has yesterday said,"without criticising anybody and without speaking against anybody... I will sit on a fast-unto-death from tomorrow (Saturday)."

"Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh has directed me to remain silent. But my duty towards Amritsar would never be stopped," Sidhu, who returned from Delhi has said. Badal had termed the Sidhu's decision to proceed on fast-unto-death as "unwarranted", adding he should not have taken this step as the issues could have been resolved amicably.

Sidhu has returned to Amritsar earlier this month after remaining absent from his constituency for nearly 8 months, and hit out at the Badal government for not doing enough for its development. Sidhu has been charged by the opposition of spending more time on shooting for television shows and doing cricket commentary.

PTI