BJP demands sedition case against Mann as he repeats blast charge

Jalandhar/Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday doubled down on his charge that BJP was linked to the recent blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar even as BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh sent him a legal notice, demanding his apology, and seeking a sedition case against him."Communal parties like BJP and Akali Dal make people fight for votes. The small blasts that took place in Jalandhar and Amritsar are a sign of BJP's entry. After winning in Bengal, they said, ‘Punjab next'. Wherever they go, they create divisions. They want Hindus and Sikhs to fight, but Punjab has always remained united," Mann said on Thursday, unfazed by criticism from BJP, which demanded that he provide proof of his accusations.On the second day of his Shukrana Yatra in Jalandhar and Kartarpur, Mann said that forces trying to divide Sikhs and Hindus for political gains would fail before Punjab's strong tradition of brotherhood and unity. Linking the recent twin blasts to BJP's "political entry tactics" in Punjab, he said, "Wherever BJP goes, it spreads unrest and fear... BJP is trying to push Punjab back into instability ahead of elections." BJP hit back by calling for a sedition case against Mann. Chugh's legal notice to Mann demands an unconditional public apology within seven days, failing which BJP would sue him for criminal defamation, public mischief and dissemination of false information."This (Mann's remarks) amounts to sedition. DGP says these incidents are linked to ISI operations but the CM says BJP did it. Do you think Pakistan will not play this tape in its Punjab assembly or Parliament?" said Jakhar, demanding a sedition case against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal as well.After leading a delegation of BJP's core committee to the Punjab DGP's office in the evening, Jakhar said they sought "interrogation" of Mann to ascertain the "source" behind his allegations against BJP. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar accused Mann of "trying to trigger riots in Punjab" and sought action against him.Alleging that several AAP leaders were making similar statements in a "concerted and conspiratorial manner", he said there was "a systematic attempt to spread poison across Punjab". "If the CM isn't summoned for questioning, we will write to the Union home minister and demand a thorough probe by NIA or any agency he deems fit," he added."If we are the ones carrying out bomb blasts, then arrest us. Otherwise, summon them," Jakhar said.Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring echoed this, asking why an FIR hasn't been registered against BJP if the CM believes it is behind the blasts. "If such allegations cannot be substantiated, BJP should consider legal action against the chief minister," he said.He questioned the differing statements by Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav on the two blasts and cautioned against turning such a sensitive incident into a political blame game. "People of Punjab want to know who is correct, CM or DGP," said Warring. UAPA invoked in Jalandhar blast case The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have registered a case in connection with the May 5 blast outside the BSF Punjab Frontier headquarters. Charges include terror acts, attempt to murder, and criminal conspiracy under sections 113, 109, and 61(2) of the BNS; sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act; and relevant provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The FIR was lodged at the New Baradari police station. MSID:: 130895066 413 |
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