Punjab Newsline | Sangrur
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday hit out at the BJP-led Central government over the CBI raids conducted at eight locations across Punjab on Tuesday and the summons issued by the agency to his Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
Calling the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a “puppet” of the BJP government at the Centre, Mann claimed that the agency had found nothing during the raids and would eventually leave the state after giving a clean chit.
On the summons issued to his OSD, Mann said that a reply to the notice would be submitted.
Speaking to reporters before laying the foundation stone of a water treatment plant in Dhuri, Mann alleged that the BJP uses central agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) as “weapons” against political opponents in states going to polls.
Mann said the CBI’s entry into Punjab was an indication that the state Assembly elections would be held on schedule. He alleged that the BJP had no real issue in Punjab and that its anti-drug march had also failed to generate public support.
“Now, the BJP is trying to enter Punjab by using the ED, CBI and Election Commission to target and defame people close to us, relatives, OSDs and ministers,” Mann said, adding that “nothing will come out” of the ongoing investigation.
Punjab CM further alleged that the BJP had adopted a similar strategy in Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Delhi. Referring to cases against Aam Aadmi Party national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other leaders, Mann claimed that they were jailed shortly before elections but the cases ultimately yielded nothing.
He said a similar outcome would follow in Punjab. Mann accused the BJP of attempting to “twist Punjab’s arm” to capture power, saying the people of Punjab would not tolerate such a move.
He also questioned the speed of the CBI’s action, saying the matter was before the Supreme Court but the agency had acted within 24 hours.
“Many cases have been pending with the CBI for 20 years, but no action is being taken in them,” Mann said, questioning why the agency had moved so quickly in the Punjab matter.
Chief Minister maintained that the raids and summons were politically motivated and asserted that the investigation would not yield anything against the Punjab government or its leaders.
