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CHANDIGARH: Amid escalating political tensions following repeated Enforcement Directorate raids in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday accused the BJP-led Centre of using central agencies to politically target Punjab and attempting to spread division and hatred in the state.
Speaking during his ongoing Shukrana Yatra from Sangrur to Patiala, Mann claimed that the BJP was uncomfortable with the growing popularity of the Punjab government and the overwhelming public support for the state’s recently introduced anti-sacrilege law.
“I want to tell them that this won’t work,” Mann said, condemning the series of ED raids conducted in Punjab while accusing the Centre of deliberately ignoring the state and withholding funds.
‘Modi cannot digest Punjab’s response’
The Chief Minister alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was rattled by both the success of the anti-sacrilege legislation and the response received by the AAP government’s public outreach campaign.
“Narendra Modi cannot accept the success of the anti-sacrilege bill and the tremendous response that the Shukrana Yatra is getting. They are hurt and that’s why they are sending the ED,” Mann claimed.
The remarks come amid intensified ED action in Punjab, including recent raids linked to Cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora and multiple business people and real estate entities.
‘ED raids sponsored by BJP’
Launching a direct attack on the BJP, Mann alleged that the Enforcement Directorate was functioning as a political tool of the ruling party at the Centre.
The ED raids across the country and in Punjab are sponsored by the BJP. Their only motto is to raid a person and then tell him to join the BJP for everything to become okay,” Mann alleged.
He further referred to earlier raids on businessman and politician Ashok Mittal, claiming that individuals who later aligned with the BJP were subsequently “rewarded”.
“Earlier, they raided Ashok Mittal and later gave him ‘Y’ security. They raid and then honour those who join them,” Mann said.
Warning to BJP over Punjab politics
Accusing the BJP of pursuing divisive and polarising politics, Mann warned that Punjab’s electorate would strongly respond in the next Assembly elections if such tactics continued.
“If BJP does not mend its ways, its Vijay Rath will lose balance in the 2027 Punjab polls, and it will be torn to pieces by Punjab’s voters,” he said.
Drawing a comparison with recent political developments in West Bengal, Mann also criticised reports of post-election violence there.
“In Bengal, the BJP’s Chief Minister is yet to take oath, and there are already reports of violence. This is their style of politics and they should not think they can do the same in Punjab,” he remarked.
No changes in anti-sacrilege law: Mann
The Chief Minister also reiterated his government’s firm stand on the anti-sacrilege legislation recently passed by the Punjab Assembly.
Responding to objections raised by some religious figures and organisations, Mann asserted that the law enjoyed overwhelming public backing and there was no question of diluting or modifying it.
“The public’s support for the anti-sacrilege bill clearly shows that people of Punjab stand firmly with this law. Therefore, there is no scope for any changes in this legislation,” he said.
Religious outreach during Shukrana Yatra
As part of his Shukrana Yatra, Mann is also scheduled to address a religious congregation at Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar, which serves as the religious headquarters of controversial Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party is projecting the yatraanksgiving campaign aimed at consolidating support for the government amid rising political confrontation with the BJP and central agencies.
