BJP Punjab Chief Accuses State Government of Law and Order Failure Ahead of PM Modi's Visit
A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Punjab, Bharatiya Janata Party state president Sunil Jakhar launched a scathing attack on the state government, alleging a breakdown in law and order. Jakhar claimed that anti-national elements have been issuing bomb threats in Jalandhar, highlighting what he termed as a severe security lapse by the Punjab administration and police department.
Core Committee Resolutions and Security Concerns
Jakhar's remarks followed a meeting of the BJP's core committee on Saturday, which passed two significant resolutions. The first resolution expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his visit to Punjab, while the second strongly condemned the Punjab government for its alleged failure to maintain law and order in the state. Modi is set to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar district, where he will participate in a public program honoring Guru Ravidas.
Jakhar emphasized that the Prime Minister's visit on the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas demonstrates his deep understanding of Punjab's sentiments, especially as it coincides with the Union Budget presentation in Parliament. He stated that the visit would strengthen communal harmony across the state, underscoring its importance beyond political lines.
Allegations of Government Mismanagement and Media Suppression
The BJP leader did not mince words in criticizing the state government's handling of security. If such security threats exist even before the Prime Minister's arrival, it reflects the pervasive atmosphere of fear that ordinary Punjab residents are enduring daily, Jakhar asserted. He accused the Punjab government of misusing police forces to silence political opponents and curb press freedom, rather than deploying them to restore law and order.
Jakhar pointed to recent police cases filed against media organizations, independent journalists, and social media influencers as evidence of the government's intent to suppress freedom of expression. We will not allow this government to curtail media freedom or the people's right to speak out, he declared, vowing to resist any attempts to undermine democratic values.
Political Critique and Allegations Against AAP Leadership
In a broader political attack, Jakhar alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has been reduced to a mere proxy chief minister, lacking autonomous authority. Addressing Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal directly, Jakhar drew parallels between the decline of AAP in Delhi and emerging controversies in Punjab.
He recalled that AAP's downfall in Delhi began with revelations about Kejriwal's so-called Sheesh Mahal residence, and claimed that similar allegations regarding a luxurious residence in Punjab are now surfacing. This marks the beginning of the end for AAP in Punjab, Jakhar predicted, suggesting that the party's governance failures and ethical lapses are eroding public trust.
The BJP's strong condemnation and detailed allegations highlight escalating political tensions in Punjab, with security and governance issues taking center stage ahead of a high-profile national visit. Jakhar's statements underscore the party's strategy to hold the state government accountable while positioning itself as a defender of law, order, and democratic freedoms in the region.
