CHANDIGARH, May 6: Terming the twin blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar “minor”, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday accused the BJP of being responsible and said this was how the party was ‘preparing’ for the upcoming assembly elections in the state.
The BJP wants to create an atmosphere of fear, Mann told reporters, adding that the party wanted to scare people into getting their votes.
“BJP is a communal party. The assembly elections are over in West Bengal, and they (BJP) have said that now it is Punjab’s turn, which indicates that these minor blasts are part of their preparation for the Punjab assembly elections,” the chief minister said, adding that investigations are underway.
Man further alleged that the BJP always sought to gain votes by inciting violence and intimidating the public.
“I urge the BJP to cease such tactics. Punjab is a peaceful state. We are the people who always seek the welfare of the world,” Mann said while speaking to reporters in Anandpur Sahib.
He claimed that the BJP had a penchant for stirring up trouble in states where it is contesting elections.
Noting the significance of the newly enacted anti-sacrilege law, Mann stated that it counteracts the BJP’s efforts to provoke conflict between communities.
“With the anti-sacrilege law in place, no one will engage in sacrilegious acts at their behest,” he said, further alleging that the law contradicts the BJP’s agenda.
In reference to the BJP’s approach, Mann expressed concern, saying, “The BJP claims it is ready for Punjab. Are they trying to scare people with these minor blasts to secure votes? Punjab has already experienced dark times in the past.”
Two blasts occurred on Tuesday night, one outside the Border Security Force’s Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar and another near the army cantonment area in Khasa, Amritsar. (PTI)
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