Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has come in under strong condemnation from the BJP leaders across the state and in the city after his comments blaming the saffron party for the blasts which recently took place in Jalandhar and Amritsar. The news of the blasts, is inviting all sorts of comments from leaders across the political spectrum in the country and the state.
The Chief Minister (CM), who linked blasts to the upcoming state elections, was in for severe criticism as the Opposition targeted him for pointing fingers at others rather than solving the law and order situation in Punjab.
On the other hand, the state DGP on the same day said the blasts were the handiwork of the ISI and Pakistan elements.
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What the CM, DGP said
The CM said, “They (BJP) have themselves said that Punjab’s next (after Bengal for elections). Does it mean small blasts which have taken place, is the BJP’s preparation for Punjab elections? They do things by spreading violence and scaring, threatening people for garnering votes. I want to tell the BJP — turn from such kind of actions. Don’t do these things in Punjab, it’s a peace loving state.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said, “A narrative is being built that Punjab is disturbed. I want to tell you all that Punjab is not disturbed. A handful of elements want to sully the atmosphere of the state at the behest of Pakistan. We will crush them. We won’t let such elements raise their heads.”
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BJP condemns CM’s statement
Condemning the statement given by the Chief Minister on the blast incident in Jalandhar and Amritsar that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was behind these two incidents.
KD Bhandari, former Chief Parliamentary Secretary of the Punjab Government and BJP Punjab vice president, said, “The Chief Minister’s statement is going to spoil the atmosphere of Punjab. Such statements do not befit Chief Minister’s dignity. On the other hand, the state DGP has said that Pakistan’s ISI hand is behind these incidents. They should realise how serious these incidents are instead of playing politics. There is a need to take appropriate action. Due to failure of the Punjab Government, such incidents are happening every day, but the Aam Aadmi Party ruling dispensation in the state, which is only working on political ambitions and publicity, is engaged in politics instead of understanding the seriousness of such incidents.”
Bhandari requested Home Minister Amit Shah to issue strict orders to the state government and the administration to ensure safety of the people of Punjab.
BJP state chief general secretary and former Jalandhar Mayor Rakesh Rathore said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party government were responsible for the failed law and order situation in the state.
Regarding the recent blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar, Rathore said, “The security apparatus in the state seems to be completely slipping away from the government’s hands and it is proving to be completely unsuccessful in controlling the situation. The CM is alleging that the BJP is doing all this. The CM needs a reminder that today the BJP governs more than 22 states of the country where it accords top priority to law and order. The resident of all the BJP-ruled states are satisfied with the law and order situation. Continuous incidents happening across Punjab are a clear indication that there’s no law and order left in Punjab.”
BJP leader Rajesh Bagha said, “Law and order situation of the state is deteriorating day by day in Punjab while the CM is busy levelling baseless allegations against the Central Government. The state government hides its failures and distracts attention of the people. The general public is not feeling safe, businessmen are troubled by gangsters and bomb threats are being received for the last many days at schools and elsewhere.”
