Bhagwant Mann must prove BJP role in blasts or resign, says Bharatiya Janata Party
A political row has erupted in Punjab after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being linked to the recent twin blasts in the state, prompting a sharp rebuttal from the party.
The BJP’s Punjab unit has demanded that Mann either provide evidence to support his allegations or resign from his post, calling his remarks “reckless and irresponsible.”
The controversy follows two back-to-back explosions on Tuesday night—one outside the Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar and another near an army cantonment in Khasa, Amritsar.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav indicated that the blasts could be linked to Pakistan’s ISI and may be part of attempts to disrupt peace in the border state, especially around the Operation Sindoor anniversary.
Despite this, Mann alleged that the BJP was trying to create fear in Punjab ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. He claimed the incidents were part of a larger political strategy.
Reacting strongly, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the chief minister’s statement reflected panic and diverted attention from governance failures. He urged Mann to allow law enforcement agencies to carry out their work without political interference.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh also criticised the CM, saying law and order in Punjab had deteriorated and accusing the state government of failing to ensure public safety.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu challenged Mann to register an FIR against the BJP if he had evidence to back his claims, calling the accusations baseless.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leaders pointed to a series of recent incidents involving explosions and security threats in Punjab, alleging that the situation highlights lapses in governance.
Police investigations into the blasts are ongoing, with forensic teams and intelligence units working to determine the exact cause and those responsible.
The exchange of allegations has intensified the political atmosphere in Punjab, with both sides trading charges over security and accountability.
