Only BJP can save Punjab: Jakhar

Only the BJP can save Punjab from the mess and chaos created by all other parties, said state BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Tuesday amid the row triggered by the lodging of a case against senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa over his “50-grenades-have-reached-Punjab” remark.

In a video message uploaded on social media, he also accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa of “pushing Punjab to brink of chaos by exhibiting cheap politics over a sensitive issue”.

The remarks came amid a slugfest between the Congress and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the action against Bajwa, who, in a TV interview, had claimed that 50 bombs/hand grenades had been smuggled into Punjab, with 18 of them already used in terror activities.

The state BJP president assured people of Narendra Modi-led Union government’s “resolute intent and commitment to not let anyone vitiate Punjab’s heard-earned peace” after militancy in 1980s and early 90s.

Jakhar also appealed to Punjabis to “weed out the incompetent and insensitive AAP regime” by teaching it a lesson in the Ludhiana (West) Assembly bypoll, expected to be held in May.

He also accused Chief Minister Mann of playing politics over the sensitive issue of law and order.

Jakhar said the CM himself, by playing politics over otherwise sensitive issue of law and order, is fuelling a sense of uncertainty and terror among people.

Lashing out at the Congress leadership, including Bajwa, Jakahr said their infighting and “desperation for gimmickry to keep their political careers afloat” have led to an ineffective Opposition in the state.