Chandigarh, Aug 19 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said that the BJP has once again resorted to its old “anti-democratic tactics to muzzle the Opposition ahead of the Assembly polls”.
He said the BJP, which had no political base in Punjab, has been misusing central agencies like the ED (Enforcement Directorate) and the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to defame, threaten and suppress its political opponents, but such a political vendetta would not deter the AAP government from working for the common man.
Taking a dig at the BJP’s attacks on his government, CM Mann told the media that he did not need a certificate of honesty, patriotism or nationalism from those who had mercilessly looted Punjab and its people.
“This is an old strategy of the BJP to use central agencies like the ED, the 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 bars. Action against senior AAP leader Satyendar Jain is the same strategy as the BJP is habitual of such theatrics,” he said.
Responding to repeated attacks by the Opposition, the Chief Minister said, “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, so they are defaming me on non-issues. The BJP, which has no base in the state, is using the ED and the 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 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 the 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.”
On the water situation, the Chief Minister 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.”
On granting parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara, he said, “Jagtar Singh Hawara 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.”
–IANS
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