Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly called off his visit to Punjab, where he was going to be a part of the state government’s celebrations to mark the 350th foundation day of Anandpur Sahib.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Kamal Sharma reportedly told HT that there had never been any confirmation on Modi’s visit from any level, neither from the party nor from the PM’s Office and claimed that it had actually just been a ‘proposed visit’.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had invited PM Modi personally in Delhi and reportedly claimed that the PM had accepted his invitation. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Home Minister Rajnath Singh were also invited by Badal.
According to reports, Modi distanced himself from the celebrations as the event is purely religious. Other reasons being attributed to this cancelllation include the controversial transfer of Khalistan terrorist Davinderpal Singh Bhullar from Tihar jail to Amritsar jail.
Reportedly, the decision is likely to ruin Akali Dal’s plans to use the religious event to push for the special economic package, which has been turned down by the Union government two times.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the event marking the 350th anniversary of the holy town, which was inaugurated on March 30, 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.