BJP Has No Base In Punjab, Using ED-CBI To Defame & Threaten Us: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
CHANDIGARH: Lashing out at the BJP over the arrest of senior AAP leader and Punjab Sah-Prabhari Satyendar Jain, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said that the “ED Party” (BJP) had once again resorted to its old anti-democratic tactics to muzzle the Opposition ahead of the Vidhan Sabha polls. He said the BJP, which had no political base in Punjab, was misusing central agencies like the ED (Enforcement Directorate) and CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to defame, threaten and suppress its political opponents, but such political vendetta would not deter the AAP government from working for the common people. Taking a dig at the BJP’s attacks on his government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said he did not need a certificate of honesty, patriotism or nationalism from those who had mercilessly looted Punjab and its people.
In a post on X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “The arrest of Satyendar Jain ji is a clear case of political vendetta. The Central Government is misusing agencies like the ED to intimidate and suppress Opposition leaders. Those who have themselves sold out Punjab are questioning us today. This approach is not right for democracy.”
During a press conference, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This is an old strategy of the BJP to use central agencies like ED, CBI and others to harass its political rivals. A similar exercise was done in Delhi too where ahead of the Vidhan Sabha polls, the entire top brass of the AAP was put behind the bars. Action against senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain is the same strategy as the BJP is habitual of such theatricals.”
Responding to repeated attacks by the Opposition, the Chief Minister affirmed, “I do not need a certificate of honesty from leaders whose hands have been drenched with the merciless plundering of the state and its people. These leaders have nothing to say against me due to which they are defaming me on non-issues. The BJP, which has no base in the state, is using the ED and CBI to defame and threaten us. This won’t deter me and I will continue to work for the well-being of the common people of Punjab.”
On the issue of patriotism and nationalism, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab does not need a certificate of patriotism from the saffron party or its government at the Centre. Punjabis have made countless sacrifices to enrich every colour in the national tricolour and the BJP or Union Government should not teach us about it. It is unfortunate that the saffron party is repeatedly indulging in cheap tantrums by questioning the nationalism and patriotism of the state and its people.”
Punjab Govt Keeping Regular Tab On Water Levels, People Should Not Panic: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
On the water situation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government is keeping a regular tab over the water level in the rivers and water sources. People of the state should not panic about it.”
Jagtar Singh Hawara Should Be Granted Parole To Meet Ailing Mother On Humanitarian Grounds: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
On Jagtar Singh Hawara, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is lodged in jail, should be given parole to meet his ailing mother on humanitarian grounds. I have already flagged this issue before the Governor of Punjab. Now the final decision has to be taken by the Government of India.”