BJP Seeks Punjab CM Mann's Apology For Linking Party To Twin Blasts

(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, May 6 (IANS) Criticising Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's allegation against the BJP over twin blasts in the state, Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu on Wednesday said that Mann should "place ice on his head" and "bathe in cold water" in order to realise what he is speaking. Further, he called CM Mann an "ISI agent".

Earlier in the day, CM Mann claimed, "Investigations into these minor blasts are underway. This is part of the BJP's preparations for the elections in Punjab... In whatever state they have to fight elections, they first instigate riots, cause small-scale explosions, orchestrate some infighting, and divide people on the basis of religion and caste. This means that these are the BJP's preparations for Punjab."

Talking to IANS, BJP leader Bittu said, "He wouldn't be able to target anyone; he's an alcoholic. With the heat being so intense and given his drinking habits, it may have gone to his head. Perhaps he ended up answering this while responding to some other question."

Taking a dig at CM Mann, he said: "He should place ice on his head and drink cold water, plenty of which is available, or else we can send. He should pour cold water on his head; after that, he will realise what he has spoken."

After Punjab witnessed two back-to-back explosions in Jalandhar and Amritsar, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that Pakistan's ISI appears to be attempting to disturb the situation in the state ahead of Operation Sindoor's first anniversary.

Reacting to it, the MoS said, "BJP leaders and workers are in the party office now. If he (Mann) has enough courage, then let him send the DGP here. Let them register an FIR and take us for interrogation."

Bittu asked the Punjab CM to apologise for making such an allegation.

"He (Mann) is stuck after giving such a statement. Now it remains to be seen how he backtracks from it; if he does not, then we will protest against it and even explore legal options," he said.

Moreover, MoS Bittu added, "The ISI would never have been as happy as it is today. What the ISI could not do, Bhagwant Mann has done, so by that logic, he too would be an ISI agent."

Punjab's Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called Mann's allegation a "serious charge" against the BJP.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh accused the Punjab government of shielding terrorists.

"The police are saying something, the government is saying something else," he said.

Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Sambit Patra hit back at the Punjab CM.

"Without any investigation report, Bhagwant Mann made such a statement on the direction of (AAP chief) Arvind Kejriwal, just for their political gain. It is highly condemnable," he said.

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