Punjab BJP Chief Appeals to Governor, Accuses CM of Political Espionage
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Synopsis
On April 10, Punjab BJP President Sunil Kumar Jakhar wrote to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, alleging serious constitutional violations and misuse of intelligence by CM Bhagwant Mann. He called for an inquiry into these matters, emphasizing their implications for national security.
Key Takeaways
- Political Espionage claims raised by BJP President.
- Accusations against CM Bhagwant Mann regarding intelligence misuse.
- Call for a judicial inquiry into intelligence department actions.
- Highlighting the urgent need for national security measures.
- Situation termed as “IntelGate Punjab” by Jakhar.
Chandigarh, April 10 (NationPress) Punjab BJP President Sunil Kumar Jakhar on Thursday addressed a letter to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, raising alarms about what he termed a significant violation of constitutional norms and misuse of institutions by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Jakhar accused the Chief Minister of exploiting the state’s intelligence framework for political espionage, referencing the CM’s public declaration in the Punjab Legislative Assembly: “Main sarkar vich haan, mere kol intelligence hai (I am in the government, and I have an Intelligence portfolio).”
He asserted that this was not merely a casual comment, but a public acknowledgment of using the state's intelligence network to surveil political adversaries -- a severe undermining of democratic principles and institutional integrity.
The BJP leader highlighted that immediately following this statement, the Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence), R.K. Jaiswal, was suddenly transferred.
“This cannot simply be brushed aside as a coincidence,” Jakhar emphasized in his letter.
“Was he removed for refusing to adhere to political orders? Was he resisting efforts to convert the intelligence department into a personal instrument of the ruling party?” the BJP leader questioned in the correspondence.
Jakhar also referred to the grenade assault on the home of senior BJP figure Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandhar on the night of April 7-8, describing it as a stark reminder of how the redirection of intelligence resources towards political spying can diminish the state's capacity to thwart genuine threats.
In his letter, Jakhar called on the Governor to initiate a high-level judicial or independent investigation into the misuse of intelligence and the transfer of the ADGP.
He further urged the Governor to escalate the issue to the Central government or national investigative agencies, noting that Punjab’s status as a sensitive border state “renders this not merely a state concern, but a question of national security.”
Jakhar characterized the scenario as “IntelGate Punjab,” asserting that this was not an isolated incident, but rather a perilous and intentional trend of institutional appropriation for political agendas.
