Digvijaya Singh supports Kumar Vishwas and believes Kejriwal should publish a statement condemning pro-Khalistan separatists.

PAROMITA DAS

Digvijaya Singh, a veteran Congress leader, has backed poet Kumar Vishwas and urged that Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal issue a statement condemning the Khalistan movement.

Vishwas accused Kejriwal of backing separatists during the high-stakes campaign for Punjab assembly elections, but the AamAadmi Party (AAP) head has denied the charges.

‘Kumar Vishwas has made a very basic demand,’ Singh stated in a tweet in Hindi on Saturday night. KejriwalJi should issue a statement against Khalistan. KejriwalJi should have no problem with this.”

On Saturday, a day before important assembly elections in Punjab, the Central government provided poet Kumar Vishwas with ‘Y’ level security and CPRF cover.

Vishwas’ charges against AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal prompted the move. He accused the AAP chief of backing separatists in Punjab.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi moved to Twitter to demand that Prime Minister NarendraModi conduct an impartial investigation into Kumar Vishwas’ charges.

As many politicians sought ‘clarification’ on the allegations, the accusations quickly devolved into attacks against Kejriwal.

Dismissing the allegations, the Delhi CM called a former party leader’s claims that he made separatist remarks “laughable,” adding that he must be the “world’s loveliest terrorist” who builds schools and clinics.

On February 20, the 117-member Punjab Assembly will go to the polls. Kejriwal’s AAP has developed as a major political force in the state, winning 20 seats in the 2017 elections and becoming the main Opposition party in the Legislative Assembly.