Eminent Pakistani journalist holds press conference in Chandigarh to “dispel rumours about her relationship with Amarinder”
CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh is these days busy playing host to senior Pakistan journalist Aroosa Alam.
His relations with Aroosa sparked a controversy early this year after Amarinder conducted her around to Rajasthan and also made her participate in a meeting with senior Army officials few weeks before the last assembly elections. He later reportedly met her in Dubai and England where he had gone for a medical check-up in September.
Lately, there were rumours the ex-CM, a scion of the Patiala royal family, had tied the nuptial knot with the journo and that they intended to settle down in Dubai.
Amarinder, however, denied the whole affair as “incorrect”.
The matter remained buried for quite some time till Aroosa reappeared in the city on Sunday and Amarinder drove her to his Moti Mahal palace in Patiala. She has since been staying there. On Wednesday, Aroosa came all the way from Patiala to “dispel rumours about her relationship with Amarinder”.
It was a veritable date for media persons with the Pakistan journalist at the press club where they turned up in hordes to have a glimpse of the woman the scion of the Patiala royal family has reportedly fallen for and staked his entire political career.
Aroosa was at pain to explain that “it is just a friendship bond that is being misrepresented in the media”. She said the friendship developed when Amarinder visited Pakistan as chief minister to strengthen Indo-Pak ties. She regretted he had to suffer politically because of his “relation” with her.
Aroosa clarified that this time she came to Punjab to enquire about the health of the former CM’s mother. “Earlier, my two sons also visited Amarinder. It was just as two families meet,” she said.
Asked about reports in the Pakistani media that Amarinder and she had married, she said it had all been misreported. Ever since the reports appeared in the Pakistani media, Aroosa said, she had been facing the wrath of fundamentalists who had been issuing her threats of all kinds.
Her clarification came a day after the matter rocked the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday. Senior Akali Dal MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha sought to move an adjournment motion over the controversy. He contended that the entire matter related to the national security as well, and as such the House must deliberate on it. Speaker NS Kahlon turned down his request.
Environment and public relations minister BS Majithia joined the issue supporting the Akali member. Opposition leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal intervened saying since Amarinder was not present in the House it was inappropriate to discuss his personal life.
b_ajay@dnaindia.net
