Bhagwant Mann at it again, questions Narendra Modi over foreign visits

Refusing to be cowed down by the criticism following his remarks on PM Narendra Modi’s foreign visits, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday again took potshots at him on the floor of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and even outside the House.

Mann hit out at the BJP and its leaders, accusing them of not just ignoring the country but also trying to alienate Punjabis. He also accused the BJP, which rules at the Centre, of extending political patronage to gangsters.

“What can be expected when a person like Amit Shah, banished from Gujarat in the past, becomes the Union Home Minister,” he said.

Choosing to respond to the Ministry of external Affairs’ statement over his comments on PM Modi’s foreign visits, Mann said he had every right to question the foreign policy.

In a series of sarcastic remarks, Mann had questioned the relevance of PM Modi’s visit to countries such as Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina Brazil and Namibia. He had said, “God knows which countries he keeps visiting, ‘Magnesia’, ‘Galveaisa’, ‘Tarvesia’. He is visiting countries where the population is 10,000 and he is getting the ‘highest awards’ there. Here, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCB... what has he gotten himself into.”

The Ministry of External Affairs that had termed the remarks “regrettable and irresponsible”. On Friday, he said in the Assembly, “I again say that the PM goes to ‘Magnesia, Galvesia, Tarvesia’. Their population is less than 10,000 and he claims to get their highest civilian honours.”

“There are 140 crore people in India, and it would behove him well to think of their welfare, rather than going on these tours,” added Mann.

Outside the House, Mann said,“I want to ask, whichever country the PM goes, why does (Gautam) Adani’s business starts there? Can’t we question this? Does he take you to these places? Do you go there to further his business interests?” he asked.

Mann also said that when the border conflict with Pakistan started, “not a single country stood by India”.

Inside the House, Mann said the PM did not even get an invitation to attend the swearing-in of US president Donald Trump. “The BJP claims he (Modi) got the war stopped between Russia and Ukraine. Then why can’t he stop the fight between two states?” he asked referring to the interstate water-sharing dispute with Haryana.

Twice during the session, he alleged discrimination against Punjab. “The Centre sent Punjab a bill of Rs 7.50 crore for the security forces that were sent in wake of the attack on the Pathankot air base. For them, we are ‘sardar’ when we fight for the motherland, otherwise when something happens with Pakistan, you call us traitor”.

Mann said that Lawrence Bishnoi would be brought back to state. “We are looking at our legal options to get him back. That is the only way to deal with him and his gang, which operates from Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat under the protection of BJP,” said Mann.