Is CM Mann Running a 'Circus' Instead of a Government?

Chandigarh, July 13 (IANSW) Ashwani Sharma, the recently appointed working president of the Punjab BJP, launched a fierce critique of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday, accusing him of managing a "circus" rather than a government for the past three years and four months.

During his address, which took place in the presence of State BJP President Sunil Jakhar, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, State BJP National Secretary Narinder Singh Raina, and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, Sharma, a legislator from Pathankot, criticized CM Mann for diverting the state's focus from significant issues by drawing attention to trivial matters, akin to how "circus performers" distract from real-life challenges.

He questioned the Chief Minister's failure to fulfill Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chief Arvind Kejriwal's promise made on January 12, 2022, regarding justice in sacrilege cases despite convening a special Assembly session on the topic.

Sharma suggested that CM Mann initiated 'Yudh Nshe Virudh' to detract from AAP's inability to deliver on their significant election promise to eradicate drugs within 30 days of taking office.

He remarked, "When an AAP MLA accused Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha of being linked to the drug trade, CM Mann again attempted to shift focus by declaring this so-called 'war'."

Sharma also alleged that Mann staged a "circus" around corruption to evade inquiries about why no action has been taken against four senior Congress leaders accused of graft in the Punjab Assembly.

At 61, Sharma is a seasoned party leader who has held the position of State BJP President twice: from February 2010 to January 2013 and January 2020 to July 2023. He was recently appointed as the working president of BJP's Punjab unit.

Regarding the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) matter, Sharma criticized Mann's government for neglecting Punjab's interests by failing to fill the state's reservation of 2,550 posts in the BBMB over the last three years.

Instead of addressing these crucial issues, the state government has continually focused on the deployment of central security forces during NITI Aayog meetings and in Cabinet and Assembly sessions, according to the State BJP Working President.

Sharma stated that objections should have been raised in BBMB board meetings to stop the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Bhakra-Nangal dam project.

In light of widespread farmer protests and BJP discontent over land pooling, CM Mann called yet another special Assembly session, which Sharma claimed is yet another tactic to divert the public's attention.

He noted the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, with gangsters operating freely. "Traders are facing extortion threats, daylight murders occur, women's jewelry is snatched in broad daylight, custodial deaths are reported, and allegations of fake encounters arise," he emphasized.

Sharma concluded, "Yet, Chief Minister Mann remains preoccupied with his 'circus' to evade accountability."

"Bhagwant Mann appears to have forgotten that he is no longer a stage performer, but rather holds a constitutional office as the Chief Minister of Punjab," Sharma stated, finishing with a dire warning: "The Punjab BJP will respond in the same language Mann uses, but four times louder, on the streets."