Punjab CM Challenges BJP State Chief; Threatens to Quit Politics Over Allegations

Punjab CM Challenges BJP State Chief; Threatens to Quit Politics Over Allegations

VoM News Desk | December 29, 2023 | 06:14 PM IST | Politics, Punjab | Follow on Google News

Punjab CM Challenges BJP State Chief; Threatens to Quit Politics Over Allegations/X@BhagwantMann

Punjab CM Challenges BJP State Chief; Threatens to Quit Politics Over Allegations

Amid accusations of politicizing the Republic Day tableau, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann vehemently countered State BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar’s claims, stating he would exit politics if Jakhar could substantiate the allegation. Dismissing Jakhar’s accusation as false, Mann challenged him to provide evidence regarding the alleged intent to include Mann’s and Arvind Kejriwal’s photos on the state tableau.

During his interaction with reporters in Ludhiana, Mann criticized Jakhar’s recent affiliation with BJP, suggesting that the accusations were part of a scripted narrative. He questioned Jakhar’s integrity and stated that if evidence proving the inclusion of their photos surfaced, he’d quit politics. Conversely, Mann urged Jakhar not to enter Punjab if he failed to support his accusations with proof.

Responding to Jakhar’s earlier assertion regarding the AAP government’s insistence on featuring Mann’s and Kejriwal’s photos, Mann challenged Jakhar to substantiate this claim. He also criticized BJP’s sudden concern over Punjab’s tableau exclusion, questioning why such objections were not raised during the Akali-BJP rule in the state.

Mann highlighted the intention to showcase Punjab’s culture and freedom fighters’ contributions through the tableau, emphasizing the Centre’s reluctance to exhibit these narratives. He questioned the Centre’s selection criteria for tableaux, indicating a deliberate attempt to omit representations of Punjab’s rich heritage.

Earlier, Mann accused the Centre of discrimination against Punjab by excluding its tableau from the Republic Day parade, condemning the move as an attempt to erase “Punjab” from the national anthem. Jakhar criticized Mann’s statements, labeling them as attempts to stir sentiments in a sensitive border state.

The controversy remains a point of contention between the ruling AAP and the BJP, underscoring the significance of tableau inclusion and the political narratives surrounding the Republic Day celebrations.

VoM News Desk

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