Chandigarh: Terming the twin blasts in Amritsar and Jalandhar as "minor", Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday held the BJP responsible and said the party was making such 'preparations' for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Talking to reporters, Mann said that the BJP wants to create an atmosphere of fear and the party wants to get votes by scaring people.
The Chief Minister said, "BJP is a communal party. The assembly elections in West Bengal are over and they (BJP) have said that now it is Punjab's turn, which shows that these minor blasts are part of their preparations for the Punjab assembly elections." He added that an investigation into the matter is underway. Mann further alleged that the BJP has always tried to garner votes by inciting violence and intimidating the public.
Talking to reporters at Anandpur Sahib, Mann said, "I appeal to the BJP to stop such tactics. Punjab is a peaceful state. We are the people who always seek the welfare of all." He claimed that the BJP is fond of creating trouble in the states where it is contesting elections.
Mentioning the importance of the newly enacted anti-sacrifice law, Mann said that this law counters the BJP's attempts to create conflict between communities. He said, "With the implementation of the anti-sacrifice law, no one will commit sacrilege incidents on their behest." He further alleged that the law is against the BJP's agenda.
Referring to the BJP's approach, Mann expressed concern and said, "The BJP says it is ready for Punjab. Are they trying to scare people with these minor blasts to garner votes? Punjab has already faced dark times in the past." It is worth mentioning that two explosions took place on Tuesday night, one outside the Punjab Frontier Headquarters of the Border Security Force in Jalandhar and the other near the army cantonment area in Khasa, Amritsar.