ISLAMABAD/AMRITSAR: Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday arrived in Islamabad to attend the oath-taking ceremony of Pakistan ’s PMelect Imran Khan on Saturday amid criticism by BJP for skipping the cremation of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whom he had once described as his “political godfather”.

Describing Sidhu as “insensitive and opportunistic”, Punjab BJP spokesperson Rajesh Honey said: “He has gone to Pakistan hoping to get international media mileage, forgetting the fact that it was Vajpayee who brought him into politics and today was his funeral.”

Sidhu trended on Twitter and received bouquets as well as brickbats for his decision. While people from across the border hailed Sidhu’s Pakistan visit, many in India felt that the timing of his trip was wrong as it coincided with Vajpayee’s funeral. Now a Congress leader, Sidhu had joined BJP in 2004 on Vajpayee’s insistence and contested his first Lok Sabha election from Amritsar the same year. At most election rallies then, Sidhu used to introduce himself as “Vajpayee sahab da sipahi (Vajpayee’s soldier)”.

Before crossing over to Pakistan, Sidhu told newspersons in Attari that he was going to Islamabad as he was an “ardent fan” of Imran and they had known each other for nearly 35 years. “It is just because of this pious friendship and strong bond that I have been invited to this ceremony. It is a matter of pride, happiness and satisfaction for me,” he said. Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Sidhu said he had come to the country as a goodwill messenger and “with a message of love” to participate in Imran’s happiness. “Hindustan jeevey (Long live India), Pakistan jeevey (Long live Pakistan)!” he chanted. He said he was saddened by the demise of Vajpayee and recalled that it was he who had started the friendship bus service between the two countries.

Sidhu said he had brought a Kashmiri shawl as a gift for Imran. Besides Sidhu, Imran’s PTI had invited former cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Earlier this week, Kapil Dev, citing personal reasons, said he will not be attending the oath-taking ceremony. Gavaskar had also declined Khan’s invitation due to his commentary commitments for the ongoing Test series between England and India.

Several Pakistani cricket stars, including Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram, Moin Khan and Aaqib Javed, who had played the 1992 Cup final at Melbourne, have also been invited for Saturday’s ceremony.

