Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, in his first response on the letter written by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) to the Punjab Police DGP alleging 61 counts of wrongdoings within the Chief Minister’s Workplace, on Wednesday dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused the BJP of indulging in “anti-democratic” politics.
Reacting to the ED communication, Mann stated, “The ED social gathering (referring to the BJP) ka kaam yahi hai. They simply write something. There is no such thing as a reality in what has been written. They solely level fingers at their political opponents. I don’t want any certificates of honesty from anybody.”
The ED, in a letter to the DGP, Punjab, has sought registration of an FIR towards individuals, alleged to be intently related to Rajbir Singh Ghuman, OSD to Chief Minister, for alleged interference in postings and transfers of officers, policy-making, manipulation in tenders, land offers and procurement of arms licences.
Mann, who has been underneath Opposition fireplace over the difficulty, reacted sharply and stated that he would urge his political opponents to first type out their very own points of their respective events, earlier than lecturing him.
Concentrating on the BJP, he alleged that its political technique was to focus on leaders of opposition events forward of elections.
“The best way BJP features, utilizing central companies as its instruments, is anti-democracy. Leaders of opposition events are arrested earlier than elections. That’s their ‘ghatiya rajmeeti’ rolled out throughout each election,” he stated.
When requested for a touch upon the arrest of former Delhi minister and the co-incharge of AAP in Punjab, Satyendra Jain, final night time in Delhi, Mann stated the one believable motive for arresting Jain was that he was the co-incharge of Punjab and the BJP needed to dent the AAP politically by arresting the social gathering’s prime leaders.
“They (BJP) did so even in Delhi, earlier than the 2025 elections. However right here they’ve faltered. They’ve arrested Jain for his function in a young floated by Delhi Jal Board, when Jain was in jail. How may he be concerned then? Our hope lies within the courtroom now,” stated Mann.
On the Nationwide Human Rights Fee (NHRC) discover to the Punjab Authorities on non-observation of Independence Day celebrations in authorities colleges, Mann quipped that Punjab doesn’t have to be lectured on patriotism. “Those that issued the discover should be from Gujarat. Had it not been for Punjabis, the nation’s struggle for independence would have been for much longer. Virtually 90 per cent of those that sacrificed their lives had been from Punjab. Our “qurbanis” are unparalleled within the nation’s historical past,” he stated.
On the difficulty of parole for former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh assassination case convict Jagtar Singh Hawara, Mann stated the BJP must take a call on the matter. He reiterated that his authorities had taken the duty of sustaining regulation and order in Punjab.
Mann additionally introduced the fourth version of “Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan”, saying round 10 lakh gamers from totally different age teams had been anticipated to take part this yr.
The sporting occasion, launched in 2022, has witnessed rising participation. Round 3.5 lakh gamers participated within the first version, with the quantity rising to round 4 lakh within the second version and 4.35 lakh within the third, he stated.
This yr, the occasion will probably be inaugurated in Bathinda on September 5, whereas the concluding operate will happen in Patiala on September 29. “Tennis-ball cricket has been launched as a brand new self-discipline this yr. Particular competitions for para-athletes, together with para athletics, para powerlifting and wheelchair basketball, will probably be organised in Ludhiana,” he stated.
Mann stated his authorities was offering monetary help to sportspersons making ready for the Olympics and Commonwealth Video games moreover offering eating regimen and different help. He additionally highlighted the sports activities infrastructure created throughout his authorities’s tenure. The Chief Minister stated Rs 1,794 crore had been budgeted this yr for gamers and sports-related actions.
‘Produce proof or apologise’: CM Mann’s OSD Ghuman to Majithia
Chief Minister Mann’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman on Wednesday challenged SAD chief Bikram Majithia to make public any proof displaying that he had sought cash from anybody, failing which he would search a public apology or provoke defamation proceedings.
Ghuman stated if Majithia had even a single chat or every other proof to substantiate the allegations towards him, he ought to make it public.
“Put the proof within the public area, or apologise publicly and be ready to face a defamation case,” Ghuman stated.
He alleged that the accusations had been being levelled as a result of Ghuman’s political opponents had been unable to answer the work being finished by the federal government.
“They’re unable to reply for the work being finished and have, due to this fact, resorted to false allegations and character assassination,” he stated.
