Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was responsible for the twin blasts reported near BSF establishments in the state. He claimed that the incidents were part of a larger political strategy linked to preparations for upcoming elections and questioned whether votes were being sought through such events.
His comments came after two explosions occurred within hours of each other near 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.
Mann said “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.” He said probe into the incidents is ongoing.
Mann added that the BJP had a pattern of trying to gain votes by creating fear, 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,” he said while speaking to mediapersons in Anandpur Sahib.
The Chief Minister further alleged that such incidents tend to occur in regions where the BJP plans to expand politically. He urged the party to stop such acts as attempts to create fear ahead of elections in Punjab.
Although no casualties were reported, Punjab Police along with Central agencies began a detailed investigation into the incidents, while security was tightened across several parts of the state.
Highlighting the importance of the newly enacted anti-sacrilege law, Mann said the legislation aims to prevent attempts to create tensions and provoke conflict between communities.
“With the anti-sacrilege law in place, no one will engage in sacrilegious acts at their behest,” Mann added.
Referring to the BJP’s political approach, Mann raised concerns and questioned whether the party was trying to create fear through such minor blasts to gain votes. He added that Punjab had already gone through difficult and troubled times in the past.
Also read: Blast reported near Army Cantonment in Amritsar
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