Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of repeatedly undermining Punjab’s interests and dignity, alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was deliberately humiliated at Delhi airport after returning from Paris.
Pannu claimed that Mann was made to wait for three hours at the airport and was subsequently issued a challan of ₹50,000. He alleged that the incident reflected the Centre’s alleged hostility towards Punjab and its leadership.
Listing what he described as the Centre’s anti-Punjab actions, Pannu referred to the farmers’ protest at Delhi’s borders, which continued for over a year, and alleged that funds due to Punjab had been withheld. He accused the Modi government of repeatedly creating hurdles in the state’s development.
Pannu further claimed that the Centre had denied permission to Mann to travel abroad on at least four occasions, alleging that the government feared the Chief Minister could attract investment and funding to accelerate Punjab’s growth.
He said Mann travelled to Paris, France, in accordance with the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s directions to promote Punjab’s agricultural products, including the state’s popular rajma and white chickpeas (chole), at an international food festival that Pannu described as the world’s second-largest.
According to Pannu, the High Court had directed that Mann be provided with the appropriate protocol during his visit. However, he alleged that the Consul General in Paris did not meet the Chief Minister, which he described as another instance of the Centre’s alleged disregard for Punjab.
Pannu claimed that the alleged mistreatment continued after Mann returned to Delhi airport. He said the Chief Minister was kept waiting for three hours, with officials reportedly citing delays in the arrival and checking of his luggage.
He further alleged that when Mann was finally preparing to leave, officials approached him and issued a challan of ₹50,000. According to Pannu, the officials told the Chief Minister that they were facing “a lot of pressure from above”.
Citing this alleged statement, Pannu claimed that the action was taken under pressure from higher authorities. He questioned whether any other state Chief Minister had ever been made to wait for three hours at an airport and issued such a challan under similar circumstances.
Pannu alleged that Mann was being targeted because he was a Punjabi and was working to improve the state's prospects. He accused the BJP-led government of being apprehensive about Punjab’s progress and deliberately creating obstacles for its development.
Despite these alleged challenges, Pannu asserted that Punjab’s self-respect could not be suppressed and that the state would continue to pursue progress and prosperity.
