CHANDIGARH: Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed on Tuesday that Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had assured him of writing to the Pakistan government on the issue of opening up of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. He, however, refused to comment on Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal 's claims of being reprimanded by Swaraj.Sidhu told newspersons on Tuesday, "I met Swaraj on Monday and she told me that the draft is being prepared and she will soon take up the matter. Since it is Indian government that is seeking the corridor, it has to take the initiative. I am sure Pakistan has already respond positively. It's just a matter of writing two lines to Pakistan."Asked about Harsimrat's claims that Swaraj reprimanded him for his warm gesture to the Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa during the said meeting, Sidhu said he did not want to comment. "I will not respond to any such criticism. It is not a personal issue and they can abuse me as much they want. It is not a matter to be criticised," he said.He, however, denied Badal's claims that it was Rajya Sabha member M S Gill who sought the appointment with Swaraj. Pointing out that Kartarpur Sahib was Mecca for Sikhs and it was the responsibility of the Centre to the take the initiative keeping in mind the sentiments of more than 10 crore Sikh, Punjabis and Sindhis , Sidhu asked the Indian government to send a formal request to Pakistan. He also released copies of his letter sent to Swaraj on the issue.Meanwhile, responding to a question over the controversy, Congress' communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said, "We would like to hear from Sushma Swaraj rather than sourcebased story being planted by the BJP, as to what transpired in a conversation between two people that is Sushma Swaraj and Sidhu."

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