Navjot Sidhu's convoy attacked in Jammu

BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s convoy was on Thursday attacked by unidentified assailants who pelted the cars with bricks and stones, leaving his driver injured at Bhor camp on the outskirts of Jammu, police said.

Sidhu was campaigning in the Bhor camp area for the party candidate from Gandhi Nagar Assembly segment, Kavinder Gupta, when some unidentified persons hurled stones and bricks at his vehicle. The BJP leader, however, escaped unhurt, a senior police officer said.

The attackers were annoyed with Sidhu over his recent remark on their religious book, the police said, adding, two persons have been detained in this connection. “The vehicle has been badly damaged. Driver Parveen Singh was injured in the incident and has been hospitalised. Sidhu had a narrow escape,” BJP spokesperson and war room in-charge Arun Gupta said.

Blaming Congress for the attack, he said, “We condemn this attack. It is Congress’s and its MLA’s frustration due to the growing popularity of BJP not only this constituency, but in the entire state.”

“The attackers were supporters of local Congress MLA who is frustrated with the possible poll outcome. They were raising slogans in favour of the Congress MLA,” Gupta alleged.
Sidhu has cancelled his rally at Bhor Camp and has set out for campaigning at other places, the spokesperson said.

This was the second attack on Sidhu in last three days in the constituency, where sitting minister Raman Bhalla is the Congress candidate.