Punjab CM Mann says BJP ‘sowing seeds of hatred’ in state through ED raids

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday claimed the BJP was eyeing Punjab using central agencies and trying to sow seeds of hatred in the state. Mann is currently travelling from Sangrur to Patiala as part of his Shukrana Yatra.

“I want to tell them that this won’t work,” he said, condemning the many ED raids in Punjab as he accused BJP of ignoring Punjab and stopping funds.

“Narendra Modi cannot accept the success of the anti-sacrilege bill and the tremendous response that the Shukrana Yatra is getting. They (BJP) are hurt and that’s why they are sending the ED.”

“The ED raids across country and in Punjab are sponsored by the BJP. Their only motto is to raid and tell the person whose house is raided to join BJP for everything to be okay.”

“Earlier they raided Ashok Mittal and later gave him ‘Y’ security. They raid and then honour those who join them,” said Mann, claiming that everyone in Punjab was supportive of the new law, which is why the BJP keeps sending the ED.

Accusing the BJP of polarisation politics, Mann warned the Centre of repercussions. “If BJP does not mend 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.

“In Bengal, BJP’s CM is yet to take oath and there are reports of violence. This is their style of politics and they shouldn’t think that they can do the same in Punjab,” said Mann minutes before he started his Shuktana Yatra from his constituency, Sangrur.

Mann also said that the public’s support for the anti-sacrilege bill meant that the people of the state backed it completely. “Therefore, there is no scope for any changes in this law,” said Mann, addressing claims by some religious leaders questioning the law.

Mann is also to address a religious gathering at Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar on the Patiala-Sangrur road. The gurdwara serves as the religious headquarters of controversial religious preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale.