H S Phoolka (File) H S Phoolka (File)

AAP MLA and former Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, HS Phoolka, Sunday kicked up a controversy with his statement over the grenade blast in Amritsar.

“The Army Chief made a statement recently. Maybe he has got it done himself to prove his statement correct. Maur Mandi blasts also took place during elections and these were later found to have been orchestrated by Ram Rahim. These were backed by the Congress. But the blame was laid at the door of Khalistanis. Therefore there is no need to jump to any conclusions now before investigating this fully,” Phoolka told television reporters when they sought his reaction to the blast. The AAP MLA said that no one should jump to any conclusions regarding the blast and raised questions about it taking place when the general elections were due in some months time.

READ | Complete failure of state, Centre, says AAP

Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat on November 3 had said that attempts were being made again through “external linkages” and “external abetment” to revive insurgency in Assam and Punjab.

The Indian Express tried to reach Phoolka on this issue but he did not respond to phone calls. However, in a late night tweet, he clarified: “An inadvertent statement made standing on road is being blown out of proportion. I have stated that history is evidence of that fact that governments in the past have caused violence to further their interest. Like in last year’s Maur blast..No one should reach a conclusion without detailed impartial investigation. Even a moderate person like me who has always been against Khalistan-think so. I regret statement that may have purported to be against the Army Chief.” Phoolka had resigned from the Assembly on October 12. His resignation is yet to be accepted.

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