Chandigarh: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Thursday sent a legal defamation notice to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his remarks blaming the BJP for the twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar and asked him to either provide proof for his claim or resign from his post.
Two back-to-back blasts near security facilities rocked Punjab on Tuesday evening, triggering panic and drawing condemnation from opposition parties targeting the Bhagwant Mann government over the law and order issue in the state.
Mann on Wednesday held the BJP responsible for the two blast incidents, claiming that this was the way the party was preparing for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
The first blast took place around 8:00 PM in Jalandhar outside the headquarters of the Border Security Force Punjab, while the second blast took place around 11:00 PM near the army camp in Amritsar’s Khasa.
BJP leader Chugh on Thursday hit out at the CM for his remarks, saying that Mann had completely “undermined” the dignity of the chief minister’s office by accusing the BJP of involvement in the bomb blasts without producing an iota of evidence.
“That is why legal proceedings have now been opened against him for the offense of defamation, spreading false information and attempting to cause public disturbance,” Chugh told reporters.
“CM Mann’s statement is in direct contradiction to the stand taken by his own DGP. While the Punjab Police points to the involvement of Pakistan’s ISI and foreign networks, the Chief Minister remains busy pursuing a political agenda.”
“The question is simple: is the chief minister ensuring the security of Punjab or is he providing political cover to anti-national forces,” he asked.
On a day when the entire nation celebrates the courage and valor of our armed forces on the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, Mann’s attempt to link a democratic and nationalist party like the BJP with the blasts is not just a political lie but an insult to the mandate and faith of millions of Indians, Chugh said.
“Mann’s statement is not only defamatory but also extremely dangerous. Such irresponsible allegations can create confusion, mistrust and social unrest in Punjab. No chief minister has the right to endanger public order and national security for political gain,” he said.
The BJP leader said that unless Mann retracted his statement and issued a public apology within seven days, both criminal and civil proceedings would be initiated against him. “The people of Punjab are now asking themselves a direct question: where is the evidence?”
In his defamation notice, Chugh said, “Immediately withdraw all defamatory, false and malicious statements you have made, issue an unconditional public apology through prominent print, electronic and social media within seven days of receiving this notice and refrain from making any further defamatory, baseless or inflammatory statements against the BJP, its leadership, workers or supporters.”
Speaking to reporters in Anandpur Sahib on Wednesday, Mann alleged that the BJP was trying to create an atmosphere of fear in Punjab ahead of the assembly elections.
“BJP is a communal party. Assembly elections in West Bengal are over and they (BJP) have said that now it is Punjab’s turn, indicating that these minor blasts are part of their preparations for the Punjab assembly elections,” Mann said.
