BJP: Mann must step down as he failed to maintain law & order
CHANDIGARH: The BJP on Sunday asked Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to resign as home minister since he had failed to maintain law-and-order in the state despite having intelligence inputs about trouble brewing.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, state BJP general secretary, Subhash Sharma, while referring to the communal clashes in Patiala two days ago, said that the buck must stop at the top.
“You have admitted to your failure by removing the inspector general of police, senior superintendent of police and superintendent of police in Patiala, but why don’t you take moral responsibility, since you happen to be the home minister of the state?” he asked the CM.
Alleging that Mann had deliberately issued misleading statements by blaming opposition parties such as BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal for Patiala violence, Sharma pointed out that his (CM’S) own police had said on record that Barjinder Singh Parwana was the mastermind of the violence.
He announced that the saffron party will launch a statewide protest against the AAP government’s failure to fulfil the election promises, beginning from May 5.
AAP says CM, police took quick action
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state unit chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Bains on Sunday said thanks to the quick and effective action of chief minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Police, Barjinder Singh Parwana, the mastermind of the unfortunate incident in Patiala who instigated violence and provoked people, has been arrested within 48 hours of the incident.
Defending the state government’s action, Kang said that six FIRS have been lodged and nine people, responsible for Friday’s clash in Patiala, arrested. “People who are trying to disturb the peace and communal harmony of the state will not be spared.