Punjab BJP calls for SM Krishn sacking over UN faux pas

The Punjab unit of BJP has demanded a probe into the gaffe on part of external affairs minister S M Krishna at the United Nations, and also appealed to the prime minister to sack the minister.
    
"The incident needs to be probed in detail. How come an Indian foreign minister had an access to the speech supposed to be delivered by his Portugese counterpart at the UN meet," said Ashwani Sharma, president of Punjab unit of BJP.
    
Krishna, while speaking at the UNSC at a debate on security and development on February 11, inadvertently read out a part of the speech of the Portuguese minister.
    
Sharma said Krishna should immediately step down as external affairs minister as he has put India to "shame".
    
"If Krishna does not quit then the prime minister should intervene and sack the minister from his post," said the BJP unit president.
    
He came down heavily on Krishna and the UPA for dismissing the incident as a 'small' one and claimed that Krishna has always "embarrassed" India before the international community.
    
Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also joined BJP in terming the incident as "unfortunate" and "embarrassing" one.
    
Badal said the faux pas by Krishna has sent a "wrong message" about India's seriousness in bid for a permanent seat in the Security Council. He alleged the "unfortunate episode" has reflected India in a poor light in the international diplomatic fora.