Chandigarh: Facing a tirade over his controversial 'UP, Bihar k Bhaiya' remark, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjeet Singh Channi has said that his statement has been 'distorted' and presented in a poor light' since yesterday.
"I didn't mean that. Migrant workers always contributed to Punjab's development. Our relation with them is from the core of the heart. I love them sincerely. But, I talked about those people like Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh and Durgesh Pathak who come from outside to disturb the atmosphere in Punjab. Punjab is as equal to people belonging to UP, Bihar and Rajasthan as those from Punjab. I love migrant workers and their contribution to Punjab's progress," he said in a bid to clear his stand over the issue that has triggered sharp reactions from several quarters.
Channi, on Wednesday, made the contentious remarks during a poll campaign programme that was attended by Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi was well. A video, tweeted by Bengaluru BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, showed Channi addressing a crowd, pointing towards Priyanka Gandhi, saying, "She is one of us. Priyanka Gandhi is the daughter-in-law for Punjabis. All Punjabis, unite. Bhaiyas from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi will not be allowed to come and rule here".
Reacting to opposition attacking both Channi and her, Priyanka on Thursday said the statement was "misconstrued". "All that CM Charanjit Channi said was that Punjab should be run by Punjabis. His statement was misconstrued. I don't think anyone from UP is interested in coming to Punjab and ruling," she said in Ludhiana.
BJP, she said, insulted Uttar Pradesh farmers and its minister's son killed them referring to the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. "...the way innocent farmers were killed by the son of your ministers...The PM is visiting Punjab only when elections are near, but not during farmers' protests. Inflation & unemployment is at a high," Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said.
"They (BJP and Aam Aadmi Party ) are in Punjab only to fulfil their own desires. Channi Ji has clearly said that the state needs a strong and stable government that works for its people...I can see a Congress wave in Punjab," she added.
Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too had reacted to the comment. "It is very shameful. We strongly condemn comments aimed at any individual or any particular community. Priyanka Gandhi also belongs to Uttar Pradesh so she is also a 'bhaiya'", Kejriwal said. BJP's Surya too had hit out at Priyanka, saying: "Priyanka Gandhi ji comes to Uttar Pradesh and calls herself the 'daughter of UP', while in Punjab she claps at the disrespect of people from Bihar and UP", referring to her clapping after Channi's comment.
READ: Nitish Kumar lashes out at Channi, calls his 'UP Bihar ke bhaiya' remark 'senseless'
