Sidhu caught in family row, rivals use issue to mount heat in poll campaign

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<strong>As the election scene is heating up in Punjab, political parties are leaving no stone unturned to pull their opponents down. </strong></p>
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In the latest development, US-based Suman Toor, a step-sister of Navjot Singh Sidhu has created a controversy that by alleging that he did not look after his mother.</p>
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Suman, addressing newsmen on Friday, alleged that Sidhu had abandoned his mother Nirmal Kaur, who died unclaimed at Delhi railway station in 1989. She alleged it was done to grab the mother's share in the property of his father Bhagwant Singh who died thirty-five years ago.</p>
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Sidhu denied the allegations. He said on Saturday in Amritsar, "my detractors are trying to hit me below the belt. How can I now bring my mother to stand witness to my behaviour after she is dead?" </p>
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Advocate Manjit Singh Khera, a close family friend of the Sidhus has come on record saying that Navjot Singh Sidhu was the only son of Mr Bhagwant Singh Sidhu while his half-sisters were the daughters of one Mr Sodhi, the first husband of Nirmal kaur with whom she got divorced.</p>
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The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has demanded that Sidhu should seek a public apology from his sister. Aam Aadmi Party state president Bhagwant Mann said," One who cannot look after his mother and sisters, how can we expect him to look after the state?"</p>
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Sidhu is contesting from Amritsar East and is being opposed by his bete noire Bikramjit Singh Majithia of the Akali Dal who is also contesting from Majitha. Sidhu is battling his opponents from the SAD, BJP, Punjab Lok Congress and from within the Congress.</p>
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Sidhu has challenged Majithia contest only from Amritsar and not from his pocket borough Majitha.</p>
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It is after Rahul Gandhi, former AICC president made an announcement to declare Chief Ministerial candidate before polls after consulting party workers that a salvo has been fired against Sidhu.</p>
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Capt. Amarinder Singh has already said that he would see to it that Sidhu did not win from Amritsar East.</p>
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Former PPCC president Sunil Jakhar lamented in a tweet, "Politics has hit a new low in Punjab…to settle political scores a pious relationship of a sister and a brother has not been spared."</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/sidhu-and-channi-cross-swords-for-punjab-chief-minister-s-post-with-rahul-gandhi-seated-on-stage-146205.html">Sidhu and Channi cross swords for Punjab Chief Minister’s post with Rahul Gandhi seated on stage</a> </strong></p>