Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar demands CM Bhagwant Mann resign after Jalandhar, Amritsar blasts
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Sunil Jakhar on Wednesday declared the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government a complete failure on law and order, demanding the Chief Minister's immediate resignation following twin bomb blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar. Jakhar condemned Mann's public remarks on the incidents as politically motivated and irresponsible, stating they undermined the state's security apparatus at a critical moment.
The Blasts and the BJP's Core Charge
The explosions, which occurred late Tuesday night, targeted areas near BSF and Army establishments in Jalandhar and Amritsar, according to Jakhar. He described the incidents as extremely serious and said their proximity to security installations exposed the extent of the government's failure. Jakhar alleged that such incidents have occurred continuously in Punjab since the AAP government assumed power.
ISI Claim vs Chief Minister's Tone
A central point of contention raised by Jakhar is the apparent contradiction between the state's own security leadership and its political head. He noted that the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) has stated that Pakistan's ISI is behind the blasts, while Chief Minister Mann has reportedly spoken in a markedly different tone. "While the Punjab DGP is stating that Pakistan's ISI is behind these incidents, the Chief Minister is making politically motivated and irresponsible remarks," Jakhar wrote in a social media post. "His frustration and fear of losing power are clearly visible behind such statements."
Jakhar's Direct Attack on Mann's Leadership
Jakhar went further, alleging that state agencies were being deployed to monitor legislators rather than perform their core security duties. "It would be better if he stopped worrying about his chair and allowed the police to do their actual job instead of using them to keep track of MLAs," he said. "If MLAs truly decide to leave, the police will not be able to stop them." He also made a pointed reference to AAP's political history in Punjab, saying Mann should remember whose "houses the party supremo stayed in during visits to Punjab ahead of the 2017 elections" before making certain statements. Jakhar additionally alleged that from the day Mann reportedly arrived in the Assembly in an intoxicated condition, he had believed the Chief Minister was unfit for office — a long-standing personal charge he reiterated.
Broader Security and Political Context
The blasts come at a politically charged moment for Punjab, where the AAP government has faced persistent opposition criticism over deteriorating law and order. Explosions near military and paramilitary installations carry heightened national security implications, and the alleged ISI link — if confirmed — would significantly escalate the gravity of the situation. This is not the first time Punjab's security environment has drawn political fire; critics have repeatedly cited targeted killings and gang-related violence as evidence of a weakened state response. The BJP's demand for Mann's resignation signals that the party intends to press the issue aggressively in the days ahead.