Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday released a recorded video message to address allegations made by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that he had hurt religious sentiments. Mann categorically denied the accusations, stating that the video circulating on social media is fake and does not feature him.
CM Denies Allegations
In the video message, Mann said, “I am carrying on my work of public welfare activities and will continue to do so. They are maligning me. The man shown in the video is not me. The man does not resemble me. He neither stands like me nor walks in the same manner.” He added that the opposition parties, unable to win the support of Punjab’s people, have resorted to baseless allegations.
Independent Verification
Mann claimed that hundreds of people called and sent video messages after seeing the viral clip, and they were convinced it was not him. “Now they have realised that they released a fake video. We also got the video checked from independent labs which showed we were right,” he said. However, he alleged that the BJP threatened the lab owners and forced them to say that the Mann government had asked for wrong reports.
Political Context
The chief minister stated, “The public knows the truth. Let them decide. People have rejected them politically, so they are using all fraudulent means to run us down.” The opposition parties have not yet responded to Mann’s claims. The video message comes amid heightened political tensions in Punjab, where the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faces criticism from the SAD, Congress, and BJP on various issues.
