Chandigarh, November 19: Aam Aadmi Party MLA HS Phoolka issued an apology on Monday, a day after blaming Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat for the blast in Amritsar which claimed 3 lives and left at least 15 injured. Phoolka said the media had misinterpreted his remarks, and the target of his criticism was the ruling Congress and not the Army chief.

"My statement has been totally misunderstood. Please see the full video, the whole statement was actually against the Congress, and not against the respected Army Chief. Still, it was an inadvertent comment and I regret it," Phoolka told news agency ANI. What Phoolka Had Earlier Said About the Army Chief?

On Sunday, hours after the terror attack targeting the Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar's Rajasansi village, Phoolka was quoted by sections of the media claiming that the Army chief would had orchestrated the blast to validate his recent statements.

"Army Chief Bipin Rawat had come to Punjab and had said that the state is in danger of terrorist attack. It is possible that he might have ordered the blast so that his statement is not proved wrong," he reportedly said. Amritsar Grenade Attack Appears to be 'Terrorist Act', Say Punjab Police; Two Suspects Arrested.

Notably, Gen Rawat has sounded a cautionary note on multiple occasions over the past month, claiming that efforts are being made from across the border to revive the Khalistan insurgency movement in the froontier state.

Phoolka's remarks drew condemnation from the ruling Congress, as well as the BJP and the Akali Dal, charging the AAP of practicing "anti-national" politics.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 19, 2018 10:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).