Guwahati: Facing criticism over his nomination for Rajya Sabha from Assam, UP Congress leader and Lok Sabha member Sanjay Singh on Wednesday defended the move, stating that he was an Indian citizen and was contesting from within the country.
‘Do we have to take visa when we come to Assam?’ Singh retorted at reporters outside the Assam Legislative Assembly here when asked why he was contesting from Assam.
‘ You do not face any problem while traveling to New Delhi. No Indian citizen has to take a visa or permission to visit Assam, which is an integral part of the country,’ he added.
Trying to blame the media for creating an ‘outsider’ image in Assam, Singh said, ‘India is one country. Do not consider Assam to be a small part, it is an important part of the country.’
‘The concern should be working for the people of the state,’ the ‘king of Amethi’ quipped when asked if he would be able to understand the ethos of Assam.
Defending her husband, Amita Singh, a badminton star-turned-politician, said he will prove to be the best MP from Assam ever.
The decision of the Congress to field Singh from Assam for one of the three Rajya Sabha seats that are falling vacant has drawn criticism for the party.
The Congress’ decision is being interpreted as a measure to ‘appease’ Singh after he was reportedly making moves to join the BJP and take on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at Amethi in the forthcoming General Elections.
He has a history of defecting from the Congress and had also contested against Rajiv Gandhi, though both were known to be close friends.
The decision of Mr Singh’s candidature also brought back memories of how Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state in 1990 for the first time under the active support of then-CM late Hiteswar Saikia, a seat Dr Singh has since retained. (UNI)
